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Virtual World! This page will carry references to classroom and professional development opportunities. Please check back frequently to obtain the latest news.
NEW! GIS. "Geospatial technologies — which include geographic information system (GIS), global positioning system (GPS), and remote sensing (RS) tools." GIS and Geographic Inquiry
• GIS and Geographic Inquiry, from Eschool News Online. "...the ability to think spatially is an increasingly important skill for students."
• • NJ Department of Agriculture's GIS/GPS Information. • NJ Department of Environmental Protection's Geographic Information Systems, with downloads and resources. • NJ Pinelands Commission's Geographic Information Systems (GIS)/Map. • NJ Office of Information Technology's Office of Geographic Systems (OGIS; try out the demo!)
• Lesson Plan Resources. (A list of web sites to multiple plans.)
• Google Earth (this has to be downloaded to a computer).
Real-time Data enables students to link academic content to every-day application. There are thousands of sites on everything from deep sea to space.
• NEW! Interactive Resources (maps of species, cholera etc., disasters such as earthquakes, environmental, and so forth)
• US Geological Services: Stream flow; Lessons using GIS, and resources, and more on Science Education
• Stevens Institute of Technology projects using real-time data
•  Air Quality from airnow.gov, from hazecam.net, and New Jersey
• Animals: Fish and turtles; migrating birds; Monarch butterfly
• Space: NASA HumanSpaceFlight; Astronomy and Earth Science at Montana State University; Space Weather Resources
Simulations are being funded by US agencies such as the National Science Foundation (NSF). You may need to "enable" your browser for java applets.
• Overview with research and resources: Computer Games for Learning. 		• List of projects in several content areas provided by the Federal Resources for Educational Excellence (FREE).
• FREE. Food Force simulation game, from the United Nations, helps to understand how international aid organizations work to help starving people.
• Making History: The Calm and the Storm covers the causes and consequences of World War II.
• A Force More Powerful simulation game based on a PBS documentary. Uses nonviolent strategic actions.
• FREE. Virtual labs and Simulations: links to many physics and chemistry java applets.
• FREE. The roller coaster applet.
• Design Your Own Robot from the Virtual Exhibits at the Museum of Science, Boston.
Online Classes: Students. "Online learning is an emerging but rapidly growing phenomenon in K–12 education."
• A Synthesis of New Research on K–12 Online Learning (2005). 		• Gym Class Goes Virtual (a news article)
• State-Level Virtual Schools (updated list)
• Virtual schools offer clubs, field trips (a news article)
• Guide to Online High School Courses (from the National Educational Association, NEA) with sections such as Assessing Online High School Courses, Why are standards needed for online learning?, Questions for Policymakers, Questions for Online Teachers and more.
• Case Studies of High-Performing, High-Technology Schools: Final Research Report on Schools with Predominantly Low-Income, African-American, or Latino Student Populations (from the North Central Regional Lab, NCREL). Read the Discussion section first for a quick summary.
NEW! Technology-based Assessment • Technology-Based Assessment Project from NAEP (2003)..."to explore the use of technology... as a tool to enhance the quality and efficiency of educational assessments."
Online Classes: Teachers. • Journal of Online Interactive Learning
• American Journal for Distance Education
NEW: NJPEP_PDonline!
• Essential Principles of High-Quality Online Teaching: Guidelines for Evaluating K-12 Online Teachers from the Southern Regional Educational Board (SREB). See additional information about K-20 Online Learning.
• PBS Teacherline
• NJPEP's online course resources (by institution and by content)
• Online Professional Development Courses for Teachers
• Online courses around the world - by topic
• Distance Education Certificate Program (from Wisconsin)
• iEarn (learn how to participate in an international project)
Information!

• Distance Education Clearinghouse
• Distance Education and Training Council