(1) Evaluating Internet Resources: Most of what is posted on the Internet has never been subjected to the rigors of peer review common with many traditional publications. Students must learn to evaluate the reliability of information of the websites they visit.

  • Select two websites that provide information about a topic related to your curriculum. Cite the URLs and names of both sites and explain which is more reliable using evaluation criteria.

(2) Research with Electronic References: Since we live in the Information Age, it is particularly important that teachers are able to access and evaluate information to prepare accurate, up-to-date lessons, and to teach their students the principles of electronic research. In this activity you will examine a variety of electronic references in your quest to acquire information for lessons or other professional activities.

  • Identify two topics to research using electronic references (broadcast news, almanacs, quotations, etc.). Research the first topic using at least one resource from each of five categories of electronic resources. Repeat the process with the second topic, using references from five additional categories. Include the URL, name of the resource, key information acquired, and a screen capture from each resource. (See examples of research ideas).

Categories of electronic resources

 
  • Identify the special features (e.g. hypertext linking of terms, Boolean search capabilities, archival search, knowledge tree, downloadable movies, online audio transcripts, animations, translations, reference lists, printer-friendly output, multimedia links, PDA or bookreader download, visible directory structure, etc.) of each of the reference tools you have used.
  • List criteria for determining the authenticity of information on a website.
  • Compare and contrast electronic references with their traditional paper counterparts. Discuss at least ten tasks or features that are possible with electronic resources that are not possible with traditional paper resources.
  • Develop a lesson plan that incorporates electronic references. Your lesson plan should require students to use two or more electronic references to address a specific curricular objective.

(3) Accessing Educational Research: Teachers should be familiar with research related to the teaching of their discipline. The Educational Research Database (ERIC) and Scholar provides access to abstracts from numerous educational publications, and is the best place to start when conducting educational research.

  • Find two or more abstracts of recent, relevant articles related to the use of technology in the teaching of your subject. Summarize implications for the teaching of your subject. Cite the articles using APA format., and include the text of the abstracts.

(4) Online Academic Journals: A growing number of academic journals are available online, some of which are free, and others of which require a subscription.

  • Find an electronic journal related to your subject and include a screen capture of a relevant article. Briefly summarize the article.
  • Administrators should be familiar with the legal code as it pertains to education. Research a legal case relevant to education in secondary schools and include a screen capture from this case. Briefly summarize the case. *PTP-tip The PTP requires that "Candidates for a Teaching Credential understand and honor legal and professional obligations to protect the privacy, health, and safety of students, families, and other school professionals. They are aware of and act in accordance with ethical considerations and they model ethical behaviors for students. Candidates understand and honor all laws relating to professional misconduct and moral fitness." You may wish to cite relevant laws or cases as an aspect of an artifact for TPE 12.

(5) Locating multimedia teaching resources: At many libraries, teachers can obtain cards which give them special privileges as educators, including the ability to check our more resources and keep them longer. Teachers can check out books, CDs, DVDs and and videos.

  • Find a video related to the teaching of your course in the Los Angeles Public Library System (or other public library system), CSUN main library, or the CSUN Teacher Curriculum Center. Describe the video resource and its call number, and if possible, find a teacher study guide for the video by performing an Internet search.