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About Information for Today
Information
for Today In Brief
Information for Today (IfT) was created in collaboration with Merit Network's
Teach for Tomorrow and Eastern Michigan University through a grant with Michigan
Virtual University. IfT was created by educators for educators. It is targeted
at K-12 educators who want to improve their online literacy skills as well
as learn how to integrate those skills into their lessons so that their students
become Internet literate as well. IfT provides educators with the information
and resources they need to understand the issues and skills related to online
literacy. IfT is divided into three modules:
- Planning & Searching
- Web Site Evaluation
- Using Online Information
Each module is further divided into five to six lessons focusing on
a specific topic. These are just a few of the topics covered in Information
for Today:
- Safe, efficient, and curriculum-relevant use of the Internet
with students
- Using online information effectively and ethically
- Identifying hoax Web sites and emails
- Learning and teaching online search strategies
- Understanding copyright and fair use
- Evaluating Web pages
IfT Growing
Out of TfT
Through feedback from our Teach
for Tomorrow workshops as well as online, we have learned that educators
are looking for more about online literacy. Information for Today builds on
the skills learned in TfT as well as goes into more depth. For example, searching
is discussed throughout several lessons in TfT, however IfT provides more examples
and details. IfT has the same structure as Teach for Tomorrow. In addition,
Internet literacy can be taught and provides a bridge through various content
areas.
Like Teach for Tomorrow, Information for Today goes beyond an introduction
to the Internet to offer educators practical, specific ideas for
successful Internet implementation. Educators are encouraged to teach
online literacy skills in context of their standards-based content.
In addition, Internet literacy can be taught and provide a bridge
through various content areas.
All educators are welcome and encouraged to use this course.
Information for Today allows you to:
- Participate in an online learning community with other educators
- Increase confidence in using the Internet and technology
- Understand how and why the Internet can enrich the curriculum
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Sponsors
Development of the Information for Today course was paid for by a grant
from Michigan Virtual
University to Eastern
Michigan University in partnership with Merit Network's Center
to Support Technology in Education.
Educators at Merit
Network, Inc. were responsible for the program
design of Information for Today as well as Teach for Tomorrow.
Merit is also providing training and support to educators
participating in the project.
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Setup
Information for Today is fully functional on typical computers at
most schools and homes. IfT operates best using Netscape, but
is also functional using Internet Explorer, Safari, or Firefox. Netscape
includes Composer which is an WYSIWYG (What
You See Is What You Get) web authoring tool for novices.
Network/Internet
Connection Requirements
| 28.8 Kbps modem connection or higher |
World Wide Web Browser Requirements
The following should be installed on your computer:
- RealPlayer
is available as a free download from the Real
site.
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