NAVIGATION AND SITE STRUCTURE

3. Types of Resources Included in the SciGuide Text

Once located, web resources can be classified by either type of content or by intended user.

To assist in identifying the type of content, each URL link is also accompanied by a series of icons. The icons represent one of several classifications of web pages:

A specific page may be identified as having one or more of these characteristics. For instance, a site intended to provide Core Content might also include Multimedia and provide a Hands-On Investigation. You may click on a glossary to review the meaning of each icon.

You can filter for different types of resources using these icons. Suppose you are looking for Core Content and Interactivity resources for the keyword Animal Species. Select the Icons and click filter. The filter will only return the sites that have been identified as Core Content and Interactivity. See the screen shot below.

Resources are also identified as being intended for Teachers or for Students. Teacher pages may focus on:

• Providing background or ancillary material in a specific content area
• Implementation recommendations or a lesson plan
• Pedagogical considerations, e.g. how to address student misconceptions
• A list of possible assessments for classroom use related to the keyword in question.

Student pages focus more on facilitating the learning of specific NSES in an engaging way by capitalizing on:

• Interactivity such as model simulations and data manipulation
• Use of multimedia through video windows and audio files
• Ask-an-expert features to provide direct connections to experts in the subject field
• Inquiry activities

Web pages that provide supplemental or Core Content material may be intended for either audience.

Supporting resources include vignettes (case studies), lesson plans and audio reviews specific to each SciGuide. These resources are provided by teachers who have used the guides in their own classrooms or were involved in the creation of the guide. For a more general overview, visit the How can I use the Internet in my classroom? page for tips on science-based search pages, email, technology-based grant resources, how to contact professional experts and more.