Applications

Introduction

The Internet
-Brief History
-Today's Internet
-Working Basics
-World Wide Web
-Top 10 Reasons

Communication
-Asynchronous
-Synchronous

MultiMedia
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Streaming
-Virtual Reality
   *Virtual Tours

    *Avatars

Online Sources
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Field Trips
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Lessons/Games
-On-line Courses
-Research
-Scavenger Hunt
-Web Quests

-WebCams

Applications
-GIS
-PowerPoint
-WebCT

Security
-Copyright
-Firewalls
-Filters


The Future
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Internet2
-Wireless Class
-Quicker Band

 






GIS:  GIS is an interactive tool to visualize and manipulate data.  GIS software is usually made for scientific, ecological or economical purposes.  In school, GIS provides the opportunity for students to deal with real life problems, improve critical thinking, problem-solve, and use collaborative working skills across the curriculum.  

A project called, EduGIS was developed for K-12 students,  which is an internet based GIS software.  EduGIS is an interactive tool and the "what-if" games may guide students to a new way of understanding by doing.

The GIS tools enable students to visualize complex facts and therewith to understand things, they would not be able to understand without visualization.  GIS enables students not only to view spatial data, but also historical developments, as well as biological or actual medicinal developments, like the spread of plagues. Decision making and information filtering becomes intrinsic feature of GIS based lessons.

How can GIS be used in the classroom?

GIS can be used to map locations for a science project. Students and teachers can analyze land use and wildlife populations.

Social science teachers can use GIS to display how natural resources are linked to population density.

Math teachers can use GIS to display real world scenarios when explaining math problems.

GIS is only limited by the imagination of the teachers and the students. GIS can be implemented into almost any curriculum.


To see how GIS can be implemented in the classroom, check out the following websites.  GIS and Environmental Science for K-14 Teachers, and From A Distance: An Introduction to Remote Sensing, GIS, GPS.  Take the time to view a streaming video on GIS applications.


PowerPoint:  PowerPoint presentations can be implemented through the Internet.  An excellent example of this is a power point presentation on "What is GIS?" .   To save a PowerPoint presentation to the web:

Click File, Save as HTML. If you are using PowerPoint 2000, give the presentation a name and the program will do the rest for you. If you use PowerPoint 97 you will have to follow the Wizard. We recommend the following values:

  • Standard Layout
  • GIF Graphic Type
  • 800x600 screen
  • 3/4 width of page
  • Use browser colours
  • square button style
  • navigation buttons on right of slide.
  • Click Finish, and then Don't Save.

Both 2000 and 97 will create a series of HTML (internet) files in a new folder with the same name as your presentation. You can open the PowerPoint display from the start within your browser by double-clicking the file the main index file (called index.htm in 97; in 2000 it will have the same name as your that you selected earlier) from Windows (Explorer.http://askit.uq.edu.au/itanswers/microsoftoffice/powerpoint/web.html).

WebCT :  WebCT is a software program that is being used in many Universities to facilitate learning and administrative responsibilities.  WebCT is a highly flexible yet structured and sequential tool for presenting course materials in a consistent form for students.  Some of the tools provided by WebCT are: 

  • conferencing system
  • on-line chat
  • student progress tracking
  • student self-evaluation
  • grade maintenance and distribution
  • access control
  • navigation tools
  • auto marked quizzes
  • electronic mail
  • course calendar
  • student homepages

For more information visit the WebCT home page.