On the Web
www.newton.dep.anl.gov/
Newton is a place for students to retrieve scientific materials and contact research scientists around the world. This free electronic community hosts live teleconferences, numerous scientific forums, and extensive library files. A question-and-answer database holds thousands of answers to students' scientific queries. Resources for teachers include discussion areas, ideas for curriculum development and Internet service.
www.thegateway.org
The Gateway to Educational Materials (GEM) lets teachers search a database of lesson plans and educational articles. Instructors can search by topic, keyword and grade level to retrieve lessons, instructional units and other free educational materials. Resources are drawn from more than 140 federal, state, university, non-profit and commercial organizations.
www.homeschool.com
Homeschool.com delivers resources and support to help parents deliver curricula from the Internet. The site provides articles about homeschooling, a resource guide, message boards and support groups. Homeschool.com has recently partnered with ChildU, whose Learning Odyssey service is a comprehensive and individualized online curriculum for grades 1-8. Children enrolled in The Learning Odyssey electronically submit assignments to certified professionals who can help monitor home-schooled children's progress.
www.scholastic.com/futureteachers
Scholastic's newest site is designed to assist aspiring teachers. It offers future educators ideas and suggestions on creating a professional portfolio, tips about teaching, articles from journals, strategies for resumes and job interviews, and links to professional organizations. In the fall, the future teacher area will expand to include discussion groups and chats with authors and education specialists.
www.geohistory.com
GeoHistory combines a capacious Internet database with the graphics, speed and responsiveness of a CD-ROM to help students learn history and develop insights by making connections. Through CD-ROMs and Internet subscription services, GeoHistory provides a comprehensive package of interactive historical maps, as well as visual and textual databases of world history and current events.
This article originally appeared in the 06/01/2000 issue of THE Journal.