Information Sites

DO I.T.
If you have a little or no knowledge of computers, but would like to know how they work or about ICT, then this course is an excellent place to start. A useful site for pupils taking computer studies as it is searchable.
 

PC Technology Guide
All the inner workings of a computer are covered in this guide which should prove a useful resource to computer studies students. If you need to know such things as the difference between input and output devices, this is the place.
 

BBC Education - Web Wise
Everything you need to know about the Internet.
 

Cross-Curricular Links in IT
Excellent cross-curricular ideas to support IT in the primary school from the Virtual Teacher Centre.
 

Dictionary of Computers, Multi-Media and the Internet
Search or browse Hutchinson's A to Z Dictionary of Computers, Multi-Media and the Internet and find out what the jargon means from the 1800 definitions and articles.
 

PICT - Projects Using ICT
Highly Recommended in particular for teachers looking for ways to use the Internet! View details of ICT technologies such as digital cameras, scanners, faxes, videoconferencing and the like, together with ideas for using them in the classroom.
 

FreeSkills - Free Online Training
A superb educational resource offering over 200 online training courses free from charge to the Internet community. All of the courses have been professionally developed by commercial training companies.
 

Beyond Time
A quality interactive adventure for approximately 9 - 11 year old children. Solve the mystery of the missing professor.
 

GCSE Bitesize - Information Technology
The BBC have come up with excellent revision notes if you are studying GCSE Information Technology. You can test your knowledge. Check your syllabus for coverage

The Teacher - Information Technology Teaching Notes
Studying A Level Computing or GCSE Information Technology? Then you can't afford to miss these excellent course notes.
 

NetBasics
NetBasics from the BBC is designed to help you take those first steps to understanding and using the Internet There are six modules each focusing on a different aspect, such as searching for what you want and using email.
 

SAM Learning
Over 15000 pages of interactive revision resources matched to SATs at Key Stages 2 and 3, GCSE and A Level, together with advice for exam success.
 

GCSE Information Technology
Use these pages to create your own notes for the GCSE Information Technology exam. At the end of each module you can work through a worksheet and a test. Modules include control systems, banking, output and input methods, information systems and more.
 

Web Design Guide - Create your Own Web Pages
Now it is easy to create your own web pages. Follow the step-by-step guide produced by Topmarks and you will see for yourself.
 

Internet 101
A good place to start when finding out about the Internet. The basics are covered: email, newsgroups, search engines, viruses and more in an easy to understand way.
 

Enhance Magazine
Key Stage 3 and 4 IT teachers will probably find this magazine site from Pearson Publishing worth a visit. There are sample datafiles to download and activities for use with Microsoft Excel and Access, as well as ideas for cross-curricular use of IT.
 

GCSE IT
If you are taking GCSE Information Technology, then this site gives great pointers on what you have to do to achieve excellent grades for project work. It takes you step by step through the processes involved. Good advice!
 

The Impact of ICT Rooms
Teachers advise on setting ICT rooms, together with an excellent section on their benefits and use.
 

Roamer Control
Teaching materials and project reports on sensing and control technology in the Key Stage 2 classroom from Kent NGFL.
 

Networks
GCSE Information Technology facts on networks. Not all links are activated as this is part of a commercial course, but still worth a look if you are studying IT.
 

CAT Online - Computer Awareness Training Tutorials
Excellent, illustrated tutorials on the basics of computer operation, Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
 

Valiant Technology
If you want to use a Roamer floor turtle for control technology, the Valiant site has free resources including programming instructions, classroom ideas and activities.
 

ThinkQuest
ThinkQuest is an annual academic competition for students aged between 12 and 19. It challenges them to work in teams of two or three to use the internet as a collaborative, interactive teaching and learning tool. Scholarships and cash to winning teams.
 

Webmonkey for Kids - The fun way to build websites
A colourful site aimed at helping children to understand the Internet and to make web pages with graphics and animation. Wordy, but likely to interest children aged ten and upwards.
 

Input Devices
Information about a wide variety of Input Devices for computers. Both manual input and direct data entry devices are covered.
 

ICT and Pedagogy
The Teacher Training Agency has a selection of PDF booklets on how teachers can use ICT effectively to improve literacy and numeracy in the primary school. Alternatively, you can order the publications free of charge.
 

Computer Lessons for Young Children
Useful ideas for parents and teachers in this series of computer lessons and demonstrations using a PC. Children can learn how to draw lines, shapes, drag and drop, flip and rotate, stretch and skew and more.
 

Computer Lessons for Kids and Small Adults
Confused about input and output devices? Do you wonder what a file is? Then this site can help you with five easy lessons.
 

Internet Detective
Suitable for web users who have the basic skills, this interactive course on using the Internet offers tutorials, exercises, worked examples and quizzes.
 

Logo Programming
Here you can find out a few basics of the LOGO programming language. Try the activities.
 

A complete Illustrated Guide to the PC Hardware
350 pages of illustrated pages which explain the various parts of computers and their functions. This will be helpful if you are studying IT courses.
 

The Geocities HTML Tutorial Center
Clearly organised site which caters for a range of users, from the beginner wanting to create a basic web page, to the more advanced user wanting to add more sophisticated features to a website.
 

ICT Online Lessons
Produced by a teacher these online lessons in basic IT skills look at desktop publishing, word processing and graphics work. You can find out the difference between a draw and paint package.
 

Using e-mail
The BBC have produced this e-mail guide aimed at 7-11 year old children. There is a section on e-mail manners.
 

ICT Advice for Schools
Need help with your ICT Development Plan or guidelines on using the Internet in school? Whichever Local Authority you are under, this excellent online advice centre has help for these and many other situations.
 

Bolton LEA Curriculum IT Centre
Outlines teachers' support services available from the IT Centre including resources such as an IT scheme of work and an assessment and recording document.
 

WebTeacher - Your Source for Web Knowledge
A complete set of tutorials about the Web, catering for beginners through to advanced users.
 

The Quality Information Checklist
The QUICK website is a resource to help young people evaluate information they find on the Internet. Using imaginery examples they can explore the concepts of information quality.
 

HTML Crash Course for Educators
Introduction to the basics of HTML design and style. Seven sections designed for teachers, but appropriate for all. Test your knowledge by generating your own web pages in an interactive quiz.
 

VideoConferencing Factsheet
Find out what desktop videoconferencing is, how it can be used in schools and what systems are available. Download the worksheet. Adobe Acrobat needed.
 

A Practical Guide to Videoconferencing
If you are thinking about trying videoconferencing then this online booklet produced by SCET (Scottish Council for Educational Technology) is worth reading first. There are case studies and advice about hardware and Internet connections. (Acrobat Reader)
 

IT advice from BECTa
Excellent information sheets are available in Adobe Acrobat format on IT related topics such as digital cameras, scanners, intranets, large screen displays, email and voice recognition systems.
 

How Microprocessors Work
Discover how microprocessors and transistors work and how computer chips are made on this site from Intel. There is also a section on the history of microprocessors.
 

IT Exam Revision
Interactive multi-choice questions on computer hardware and software relevant to GCSE Information Technology courses.
 

BBC - Installing Real Player and Shockwave Plug-ins
Many sites require plug-ins before you can hear or see everything which is available. Here the BBC provides assistance if you are unsure how to install these on your system.
 

BECTa - British Educational Communications and Technology agency
BECTa provides free publications to UK teachers on IT topics and curriculum issues. Here you will find information ICT in the news, curriculum ideas and a directory of schools using Videoconferencing.
 

Scottish Council for Education and Technology
SCET's main focus is to support and promote learning through technology. You can find details of training courses, conferences and seminars, as well as how to access the advice and guidance from technical and education experts.
 

Using a Template to Create your own School Website
Westminster Grid for Learning have produced some templates which you can download to create your school website.
 

Copyright and Ethics in a Digital Age
The Scottish Virtual Teachers' Centre has produced this information which provides warnings and advice about copyright issues to help Internet users who want to use material they have found on the Web.
 

PCEverything
A resource featuring acticles for the PC user. IT students or computer enthusiasts could find helpful information here such as upgrading your computer, system maintenance and much more.
 

Computing.Net
Do you have a problem with your computer? This site is a technical support site for all operating systems and all computer types. You could consider using one of the support forums for advice.
 

Logo@Ambleweb
Ambleside school have prepared these pages for teachers on Logo programming language. It explains activities in progressive steps.
 

Clip Art Gallery
Discovery School are offering free clip art, including animations, for your next project at home or at school.
 

tutorialfind
An online tutorial search engine which has links to tutorials on a wide range of subjects. If you are looking for a particular tutorial then this site could save you time. There are many on using computers from the basics to advanced programming.
 

Teachers Online
The Becta Teachers Online Project was created as a result of the Multimedia Portables for Teachers scheme in 1998. You can join the project now and enjoy the support of other teachers through support forums, help sheets and case studies.
 

The Norwood ICT Education Website
Looking for an example of an Information and Communications Technology policy for a UK primary school? There is one here and some ideas for teachers on delivering ICT in school. Brief notes on how to start designing web pages.
 

Information Sheets for Schools from BECTa
Do you want advice on general IT issues such as how to write a whole school IT policy, on copyright and IT, Governors and IT in schools or Careers Guidance and IT? Then check out these information sheets in Adobe Acrobat format.
 

The Ultimate Electronic Publishing Resource
There are resources here for making webpages such as site templates, some of which are designed for children to use, backgrounds and clip-art.
 

Tesco SchoolNet
Browse the projects in which many schools have participated with the help of Tesco.
 

PC Webopaedia
An online encyclopedia and search engine dedicated to computer technology. Check any terminology you are unsure of.
 

Absolute Web Graphics Archive
This site has a large collection of free web graphics on the internet. There are arrow, lines, bullets, clip-art and icons to use in web pages or desktop publishing. Note the graphics are not for commercial use.
 

Using Email in the Reception Class
A case study of how a teacher in Surrey has developed an email project with 4 to 5 year olds.
 

The A to Z of Spreadsheets
The things you need to know about spreadsheets are summarised here. The site is probably more useful if you know a little about them to begin with.
 

Microsoft Excel Tips
Very basic instructions on Excel spreadsheets which give guidance on how to enter a formula, add up numbers, alter a column width and create a chart.
 

NAACE - National Association of Advisers for Computers in Education
NAACE is the professional association of inspectors, advisers and consultants for ICT in the curriculum. Its members provide advice and guidance on ICT in education to schools and colleges in the UK.
 

MAPE - Micros and Primary Education
MAPE provides information and resources on computers and ICT for primary teachers in the UK. Look out for the training events. The site has a useful beginners' guide to the Internet.
 

New Opportunities Fund
The UK Government has allocated £250 million from lottery money to fund programmes including training to improve the competency of teachers and librarians in the use of ICT. The New Opportunities Fund site explains how to access the funds.
 

A Level Computing
Check out the advice on projects for your course. There are student contributions on data types and table properties. There is a page on common mistakes made by students working on web development.
 

ACITT - National Association for Co-ordinators and Teachers of IT
ACITT is the professional association for specialist teachers and co-ordinators of IT in schools in the UK. It forms a focus for all debate on the nature and content of IT being taught to students from 4-18 years of age.
 

Religious Education and ICT
An outline of the ways ICT can be used to support and enhance RE teaching.
 

Working with VDUs
A guide for people who work with Visual Display Units (VDUs). It includes information on an ideal working position for the user.
 

Multimedia Authoring with PowerPoint
If you are a primary school teacher wondering how to present a multimedia presentation, this site goes through how one school used PowerPoint for this purpose with Years 5 and 6 pupils. (10 - 11 years)