Guest Author - Gregory A. Kompes



August 2008 Distance Learning Site of the Month

Kathy Schrock's Guide for Educators is a classified list of sites on the Internet found to be useful for enhancing curriculum and teacher professional growth. It is updated daily to keep up with the tremendous number of new Websites.

This award-winning site was launched on June 1, 1995 by Kathy Schrock. It originally started out as a subject-classified list of 400 links that would help educators find resources for inclusion in their curriculum. It now includes over 2600 annotated sites for educators. Late in 1998, it partnered with Discovery Channel School, the site of its present home.

There are several ways to take advantage of the vast amount of information on Kathy Schrock's Guide for Educators. First there are the lists of resource sites. These sites are annotated, so you know what you're getting before you click, and they're divided and sorted by subjects that include the following:

• Agricultural Education
  
• Art and Architecture
  
• Business & Grants
  
• Career & Consumer Ed
  
• Education Resources
  
• Entertainment & Travel
  
• Health, P.E., & Fitness
  
• History & Social Studies
  
• Holidays & Celebrations
  
• Internet Information
  
• Kidstuff
  
• Literature & ELA
  
• Mathematics
  
• News & Magazines
  
• Organizations & Govt.
  
• Performing Arts & Music
  
• Reference & Librarians
  
• Science & Technology
  
• Shopping
  
• Special Ed & Counselors
  
• Sports
  
• Weather Info & Maps
  
• World Info & Languages

In addition to these extensive and useful, annotated lists of links, Kathy Schrock's Guide for Educators also provides content to help teachers in other areas including learning Internet concepts, rubrics and evaluation (I refer to this section often!), and critical evaluation tools.

You might also want to explore some of the other information and materials offered by Kathy Schrock that include articles and presentations Ms. Schrock has given, information on new technology and gadgets-one of Ms. Schrock's true loves-and even a collection of sample bulletin boards that will help you find new ideas. Plus, be sure to visit Kathy Schrock's blogs for additional information on her journey and exploration of technology.

There's so much terrific information and content, with more added on a regular basis, that you'll want to bookmark this site and return often.

About Kathy Schrock

Kathy Schrock is the Administrator for Technology for the Nauset Public Schools on Cape Cod, MA. A large part of her job is involved with infusing technology throughout the curriculum in all areas and at all grade levels. Previously a library media specialist, she is very interested in search strategies, evaluation of Internet information, copyright issues, emerging technologies and gadgets, and the use of technology as a tool to support instruction. Kathy recently served as a member of the ISTE Board of Directors from 2004-2006.

For more on Ms. Schrock and her many Websites and activities, visit: http://kathyschrock.net