Information Specialist: Reviews, digests, and presents background information about the Web and examines and presents the Risks involved in using the Web with kids (see Resources section).  Specifically, the Information Specialist will: check out some of the Facts and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Web; read about netiquette and netcitizenry; learn about the following Web Risks and how to handle them: objectionable material; cybercrime; invasion of privacy; inaccurate or biased information; information overload; garbage...; consider safety issues and ethics issues in general as they relate to the internet; The Information Specialist will present findings in an oral presentation to the team and contribute to the PowerPoint slide show prepared by the team for presentation to the class as a whole.

 

Web Search Strategist: Considers and explains various Strategies for successfully finding relevant information on the Web (see Resources section).  These strategies will include: learning about information literacy, which includes knowing that not all data is accurate, or of high quality, or relevant; becoming aware of, and familiarizing oneself with, indexed and professionally-maintained websites devoted to the specific information needs of K-12 education; learning about search engines in general, recognizing and learning how to make best use of those which are best able to serve K-12 information needs; identifying specialist search engines for multimedia information other than text, including still images, video, and sound; The Web Search Strategist will present findings in an oral presentation to the team and contribute to the PowerPoint slide show prepared by the team for presentation to the class as a whole.

 

Communication Specialist: Makes the case for Communication as a key Information Age skill and examines the web as a tool for effective written and oral communication (see Resources section).  In the accomplishment of this task, the Communicator will: learn about communication, especially writing and speech, as a fundamental learning tool; evaluate the best of the web-based e-mail servers; research listservs devoted to discussion of K-12 learning needs; consider the place of Bulletin Boards, Chat and instant messaging (IM) in the general discourse involved in K-12 education; The Communicator will present findings in an oral presentation to the team and contribute to the PowerPoint slide show prepared by the team for presentation to the class as a whole.

 

Toolsmiths: Examines and evaluates the growing number of online learning tools available to the K-12 teacher and student (see Resources section). These tools include (among others): Scavenger Hunts, WebQuests and ThinkQuests; Brainstorming tools such as Inspiration; Rubric creation tools; Test generators; Survey tools; Virtual Field Trips; Simulations and Quick Time Virtual Reality (QTVR); The value of games for learning. The Toolsmiths will present findings in an oral presentation to the team.