Chart a smart course for online resources

by Dr. Raymond J. Huntington
Niagara Wheatfield Tribune, July 12, 2007

Earlier this year, the history department at Middlebury College in Vermont made New York Times headlines when professors there formally banned students from citing Wikipedia as a research source in papers and projects. The move stemmed from incorrect information that made it onto the Wikipedia Web site without sufficient vetting by true subject matter experts. Although this type of boycott hasn’t occurred to great lengths in preK-12 schools, it could lead many parents and students to be a little more careful about the validity of information found on the Web sites frequently used as research tools.

There are plenty of good reasons for this. Unlike textbooks and supplemental education materials created by major school publishing companies, which usually face rigorous review prior to publication, Web sites can be created by any organization, and can showcase information that hasn’t been tested for validity or bias. That said, the Internet has an enormous wealth of resources that can be very useful in research for your child’s studies. Many can also provide children with a gateway to information and experiences especially suited to their interests.

So how do you steer your child in the right direction? One terrific resource is the Association for Library Service to Children at www.ala.org/ala/alsc, which has created an online directory of “Great Web Sites for Kids.” The organization has vetted its recommended sites based on factors that include authorship/sponsorship, purpose, design and stability and content. In general, the ALA recommends sites created by readily identified authors, with clearly cited sources of information, limited advertising and easy navigation. The ALA then lists dozens of sites that have been shown to provide useful and age-appropriate content for students from pre-school through middle school. The sites cover numerous topics, including literature, history, mathematics, the arts and more.

As you go about building your own online library, you should also take a look at the following sites, all of which meet the ALA’s criteria while providing resources that are engaging to students of all ages:

•National Geographic Kids (www.kids.nationalgeographic.com). Created by the National Geographic Society, this colorful site is remarkably interactive and fun. Visitors can explore hundreds of topics that connect the earth’s geography, plants, animals, ecosystems and more. The site features engaging games, videos and activities, and offers students the opportunity to create their own personalized page of information suited to their interests.

Kinetic City (www.kineticcity.com). Produced by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, with major support from the National Science Foundation, Kinetic City bills itself as “an amazing collection of science experiments, games and projects for everyone to enjoy, both online and away from the computer.” The site offers numerous activities that spark and build on children’s interest in science while strengthening knowledge and skills tied to science standards that have been adopted by many schools and school districts.

Figure This (www.figurethis.org). Created by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, this site also emphasizes enjoyable activities to build academic skills and knowledge. It numerous mathematics challenges designed to be completed by children and families working together. The challenges are word problems based on real-life subjects, divided up by various mathematics skills such as algebra, geometry, statistics and more.

EDSITEment (www.neh.gov). Created by the National Endowment for the Humanities, this site is a resource for students, teachers and parents. It’s a gateway to more than 100 carefully vetted sites relating to humanities subjects, including U.S. and world history, arts and literature, foreign languages and social studies. Teachers turn to it for lesson plans, and students can rely on it for content that meets rigorous academic standards.

Kids.gov (www.kids.gov). Created by the Federal Citizen Information Center, this site also provides links to hundreds of learning Web sites that have been vetted to ensure they provide reliable information. The site includes links to federal agency Web sites created especially for students, along with sites of other reputable organizations, all organized by subject.

Homework Help Sites. There are many sites that may be useful for homework. Lauded by U.S. News & World Report, Washington Families and the Kansas City Star, Homework Spot (www.homeworkspot.com) is a portal to numerous sites organized by subject matter. Many state library systems also have online resources that link students (or anyone) to librarians who can track down virtual resources on various subjects. AskNow (www.asknow.org), for example, offers 24/7 access to librarians throughout the state of California. Other states such as Ohio (www.knowitnow.org) and Alabama (www.alabamahomework.org) offer similar services free of charge. Go to www.google.com and type in “online homework help in (your state)” to learn more.

These are just a few of the on-line resources available to students of all ages. You can bookmark the sites on your home computer for easy access during the coming months. That way you’ll have a built-in navigation system for exploring the online universe, and charting a path to achievement all year long.

Dr. Raymond J. Huntington and Eileen Huntington are co-founders of Huntington Learning Center, which has helped children achieve success in school for 30 years. For more information about how Huntington can help your child, call 1-800 CAN LEARN.