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Teacher Links
ExplorNet works to connect teachers with affordable resources. This section includes links to websites you may find helpful in your content area. Below on this page are links that might be useful to teachers in any Information Technology program. There are also pages specific to the following:
Computer Engineering Teacher Links
Networking Teacher Links
Digital Media Teacher Links
If you find information on these pages that is outdated or know of something we should add, please email us.
General Use Links (Appropriate to All Areas)
Answers.com
Online dictionary, encyclopedia and much more. Some people consider this site to be an alternative to Wikipedia.
ComputerHope's Computer Dictionary
A general IT dictionary sponsored by ComputerHope.com
ComputerUser High-Tech Dictionary
A general IT dictionary sponsored by ComputerUser.com
Encyclopedia of Networking
An online encyclopedia of networking terms and concepts.
Free On-Line Dictionary Of Computing (FOLDOC)
A general IT dictionary supported by the Imperial College Department of Computing, London
Networking Technologies Glossary
Glossary from Networking Technologies course.
NetworkWorld Encyclopedia
An online encyclopedia of networking terms and concepts. Sponsored by NetworkWorld.com.
TechWeb: TechEncyclopedia
A general IT dictionary sponsored by TechWeb.com
Webopedia: Online Computer Dictionary for Computer and Internet Terms
A general IT dictionary sponsored by internet.com
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A user supported, free online encyclopedia.
Students can also get a list of definitions by including the special operator "define:" in a Google search with no space between it and the term you want defined. Teachers should be aware that this kind of search may turn up irrelevant or incorrect definitions.
Video Sites
Teacher Tube
Teacher Tube is a treasure trove of useful videos, from the "Shift Happens" videos to content-specific lessons. Content is screened for schools, and the site is not blocked from most school networks.
LabRats.TV
Tons of entertaining and informative videos relevant to high school IT course content.
Common Craft
Common Craft's brief and amusing explanatory videos break complicated topics down into simple terms.
Check out their section of technology videos, including explanations of everything from wikis, blogs and RSS feeds to phishing scams.
The Futures Channel
Another site full of informative videos, many of them focused on specific technology content.
Cool Tools
The Futures Channel
Another site full of informative videos, many of them
focused on specific technology content.
Jing
Jing, a free tool from the makers of SnagIt and Camtasia, allows you to create visuals - like screen shots or video recordings of onscreen action.
Wink
Another free tool that lets you create tutorials and presentations.
Gimp
The GNU Image Manipulation Program (gimp) is free open source program for creating graphics.
There's even an animation package available.
ADrive
A site that offers free online storage and backup services - and lots of it.
Dropbox
Another online storage site offering free accounts. Users can synch to personal folders, share files and photos, track and undo changes to files.
Google Sketchup
This free 3D sketching software allows you to design, create and share illustrations from floor layout plans to modeled images. Have students use it to draw out the parts of a motherboard, for example. Requires download and installation of the free program.
Security Software
Avast!
Free home edition of anti-virus software that numerous teachers and experts are currently recommending.
superantispyware
Free antispyware software that goes further than most in removing "really obnoxious spyware and malware infections." One teacher reports having used it to recover the task manager and fix the winsock after viruses have taken it over.
MBAM
MalwareByte's Anti-Malware is another anti-spyware tool that is frequently updated and by trusted accounts very effective in identifying and removing harmful programs.
Microsoft Security Essentials
This new offering from Microsoft will offer users free protection from viruses and spyware.
Classroom Monitoring
iTALC
iTALC is open source software that lets you view and control other computers in your network - monitoring students' workstations, for instance. Has a lot of functionality, even lets you show a demo on all the students' computers, lock worstations, or reboot machines. Recommended by some teachers in our Computer Engineering program.
NetSupport
One of the most widely used tools for classroom monitoring, with multiple functions available to those who purchase and use it.
Rescue Kits, etc.
Kit
This free live Lin
Trinity Rescue Kit
This free live Linux distribution is designed specifically to aid rescue and recovery operations on Windows machines.
Careers
Futures for Kids
The non-profit Futures for Kids pairs students with mentors in their career field for online discussions and career planning advice. After registering and taking a quick assessment, students get a list of job fields related to their goals, then get access to information about those career fields. They can also participate in monitored online discussion boards with adult mentors. This is a FREE site, but the mentoring service is only available in participating school districts across North Carolina. You can contact F4K to find out if your school is in the program.
Certification
CompTIA
The official site of the leading industry-standard certification organization. Find details of A+ and Network+ certification programs at this site.
CompTIA's E2C Program
Join for discounts on A+ and Net+ test vouchers, other benefits to teachers and students.
Teaching
Bloom's Taxonomy in the Digital Age
Bloom's Taxonomy, or Revised Bloom's Taxonomy, have driven curriculum development and teaching for many years. In this article, the author proposes verbiage that reflects skills students need for the 21st Century Workforce. An interesting take that might provoke some ideas on incorporating new approaches in the classroom.
