 By Pascale Noland, EDU 6606

 The web provides an incredible amount of resources and references. Online libraries, search engines and specialized sites can greatly enhance the learning experience. The academic and subject-specific resources help to create independent learning and develop critical thinking. National libraries can be researched online, and up-to-date information is at students’ fingertips.  Libraries:  U.S. Government National Library: ‎  U.S. Library of Congress:  Search Engines:  

 To enhance student-centered learning in the classroom, assigning groups of students to go on internet web quests, or assigned scavenger hunts to find specific information greatly enhance collaborative learning. Learners gather facts and data online and present their conclusions and facts to the class. Depending on the task and the level of the students, the assignments can be more or less guided. To get ideas for teachers, I recommend the sites such as or where teachers can find a plethora of ideas.

 There are many resources that can be used to enhance technology in the classroom and to find practice activities for smartboard lesson for instructors. A link to the smartboard exchange site where teachers can swap smartboard lessons is

 Access platforms such as blackboard or moodle facilitate online instruction by providing a tool for instructors to create virtual classrooms. Thus, students are able to learn without having to actually sit in a regular classroom. This self-paced and mobile way of learning facilitates greater access to learning resources that might otherwise not be available to students. Moodles is an open source platform that is a cheaper alternative to the commercial blackboard.  Info regarding blackboard. %281%29/Overview.aspx %281%29/Overview.aspx  Info regarding moodles.

 , chat-rooms and social networking enable both students and educators to share material by posting it online for others to use. Facebook is commonly used as platform to share and disseminate information. The establishment of these sites has increased transparency and communication as well as content sharing.  Facebook:  Educator networks:

 The creation of virtual classrooms can help students engage in hands-on learning. The objective is to help students convert concepts into practice. The military has invested in the creation of virtual learning games and simulations to help soldiers apply specific concepts. An example is the interactive online Army Sharp (Sexual Harassment) Training, which lets the viewer move through various scenarios and chose from different alternatives based on the evaluation of the situation.  AMLS Sexual Harassment training.

 Educational videos can greatly enhance the learning experience by providing visual and audio support to the class. Many subjects can be turned into videos and then posted online. Videos may also be used as collaborative student projects. Non-profit organizations, such as the Kahn academy offer their videos for free. Kahn academy developed a large collection of videos covering many subjects that may be of interest to students. Additionally, websites such as Skype provide free software that can be used for video conferencing or as a virtual classroom.  Kahn academy.  Skype.

 Mobile Apps that students can download to practice vocabulary or grammar on the go, or translation tools to use in class or during immersion training. Apps are great because they can be used anywhere for tailored instruction, for remedial training or to provide additional learning tools by learning style.  Other apps, such as Google maps might provide just the right tools to create a real life application of newly learned skills. Google map app available at oid.apps.maps oid.apps.maps

 The Internet also provides an abundance of resources and online teaching resources that can be used by teachers for lesson planning and lesson activities. One of my favored resources for language learning is Dave’s Cafe for ESL lesson plans. You can find teaching resources and activities and inspiration for any teaching- and learning style.  Here is the link:

 Self-assessment tools are available for a variety of subjects and topics. For example, education planner.org provides a free learning-style assessment tools that can help both students and instructors to tailor content and teaching method appropriately. Other resources, such as the free DLI Diagnostic Language Proficiency Assessment tool can be used to provide preliminary assessment of language proficiency.  Learning styles assessment tool:  Online Diagnostic Assessment Tool (language).

 AMLS Sexual Harassment training.  Blackboard Website.  Ebsco Online Discovery Service.  Educator network:  Education Planner.Organization. Assessment tool:  Dave’s ESL cafe:  Facebook:  Google play.  Khan Academy.  Moodles Website.  Quest Garden.  Online Diagnostic Assessment Tool.  Skype.  SMART Training, Content, and Community,  U.S. Government National Library:  U.S. Library of Congress:  Webquest.Org. ://