I include lots of links for my readers to places that will help them integrate technology into their education. They cover websites on lesson plans, math, keyboarding, classroom management, cloud computer, digital books, teacher resources, free tech resources, and more. On any given day, I generate on average 810 of these ‘click throughs’. Which links my readers select tells me a lot about the type of information they’re looking for.
Here’s a list of the top ten sites visitors selected from my blog:
- itunes.apple.com–last year the top click-through was a website. This year, teachers are looking for apps for iPads.
- libraryspot.com–there’s a big uptick in using the internet for research this year over last year
- Structuredlearning.net–lots of teachers are finding books/ebooks here for integrating tech into the classroom
- abcya.com–a popular site with classroom edutainment
- My internet start page for my classes--this is the page my K-5 students bring up when they open the internet. It includes the links they’ll use that day, as well as links they need for classroom inquiry, and lots more
- factmonster.com–more research for class projects
- kids.nationalgeographic.com–still more research. I’m seeing a trend
- bigbrownbear.co.uk/keyboard/–One of my favorite sites to teach K/1 how to type
- smaatechk-3.wikispaces.com–this collection of sites lets you follow along as an experienced tech teacher teaches each lesson
- brainpop.com–great collection of videos and games on almost every topic
What do I conclude from this? Where last year, the top sites revolved around keyboarding, this year it’s research. Second, you want information on managing the classroom–that’s the wikis and the internet start pages. I hear you. Check back this new year and see what I come up with.
Jacqui Murray has been teaching K-8 technology for 15 years. She is the editor of a K-8 technology curriculum, K-8 keyboard curriculum, K-6 Digital Citizenship curriculum, and creator of technology training books for how to integrate technology in education. She is the author of Building a Midshipman, the story of her daughter’s journey from high school to United States Naval Academy. She is webmaster for six blogs, an Amazon Vine Voice book reviewer, Editorial Review Board member for Journal for Computing Teachers, Cisco guest blogger, a columnist for Examiner.com, Technology in Education featured blogger, IMS tech expert, and a monthly contributor to TeachHUB. Currently, she’s editing a techno-thriller that should be out to publishers next summer. Contact Jacqui at her writing office or her tech lab, Ask a Tech Teacher.
Filed under: classroom management, free tech resources, K-5 Tech training, Keyboarding, teacher resources Tagged: 2011, classroom management, edtech, tech ed, top ten, Typing, Wiki
