Online Learning Resources

• What are online resources?

Online resources are Internet-based equivalent of their more conventional counterparts: books, articles, pictures, or movies. The key difference is the information that constitutes online resources is in machine readable (or digital) format. Formats include web documents, audio files (e.g., wav, mp3), images (e.g., gif), videos (e.g., mpeg, quicktime), animations (e.g., flash), and word processing documents.

• Instructional use of online resources

Online resources are increasingly being used in education. Here has an example of an online resource---an interactive weather simulator. Click on "Start" to explore the simulator.


• Criteria of high-quality online learning resources

Consider using some of the following criteria for evaluating an online learning resource.

• This resource is accurate.
• This resource encourages active participation of the learner.
• This resource includes all the information needed to use it.
• This resource flows in an orderly manner.
• This resource is age appropriate
• This resource is free of bias
• This resource is free of advertising
• This resource correlates with the core

The websites listed below provide more references on the criteria.

• New Jersey Core Curriculum: Kathy has designed a series of evaluation surveys, one each at the elementary, middle, and secondary school levels to help you get started with this process with your students.
• Widener University Wolfgram Memorial Library: Evaluate Web Pages: Includes sections on news, informational, advocacy and other types of web pages, including examples of each type.

Next Section: Use the National Digital Science Library.