What Will You Learn?

• Learner preparation

This module is designed for pre-service and in-service teachers (including school library media specialists). The module assumes basic Internet literacy, including using a Web browser, and basic search techniques.

• What will you learn?

In this online WebCT module, you will learn the following:

• how to use online digital libraries of learning resources, specifically the National Science Digital Library (nsdl.org), to find high-quality, interactive resources (3.1. Use the National Science Digital Library);
• how to connect the instructional activities to the core curriculum (4. Connect to the Core Curriculum);
• how to use a simple tool, the Instructional Architect (IA), to create online, engaging instructional activities using these learning resources to enliven your classroom and motivate your students (5.2. Use the Instructional Architect).

The module follows a Problem-Based Learning approach in that you will be asked to use the tools to solve instructional problems or issues that you currently face.

• Example IA projects

To give you a sense of the kinds of learning activities you can create with the NSDL and the IA, we provide the following instructional projects created by teachers.

• Ms. Dawson, "Weather." Includes a simple weather simulator. Appropriate for elementary or middle school science.
• Ms. Dawson, "Fractions are FUN!" Includes an applet game. Good for elementary school math.
• Michael Lyman, "Mr. Lyman's 7th grade Frog Lab." Includes a virtual dissection to be completed, which is really fun.
• Claire Olsen, "Exploring Europe." Includes interesting games and quizes.

You can also access the Instructional Architect to examine more IA projects (click on How to Browse IA Projects to learn more).

Next Section: Assessment.