Some websites which illustrate the differing ways in which the internet can be of use

(Please bear in mind that websites sometimes change addresses or disappear).

I have tried to select 10 sites which show the range of ways in which the internet can be helpful. Sometimes it is to access resources, sometimes it is as a 'portal' or gateway site, sometimes because it gives access to something quite specific which might make for a small contributory component of a lesson, or it might point to the potential of an area of ICT that has not been fully explored yet.

1. The Paperboy http://thepaperboy.com

A gateway site to newspapers (not just British). Now that most newspapers archive their material, it is possible to get hold of articles from past issues. This can be good for getting hold of particularly important and influential articles, but also for getting a range of sources on controversial issues (for instance, seeing how different British newspapers repsonded to a recent controversy over race and national identity. These resources also make an important point about the fact that so many of today's issues and problems have a history to them- using these resources helps to confirm the importance and relevance of history.

2. The World's smallest political quiz http://www.self-gov.org/quiz.html

Helpful for developing/introducing aspects of political literacy, and also issues of the reliability/integrity of such materials- after doing the quiz, it can be helpful to point out that it is put together by the Libertarian Society. It also demonstrates an interesting facet of 'interactivity'.(See also the Political Compass site- http://www.political compass.org)

3. Trails, on the BBC's History site http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/trail/

Very helpful for developing your subject knowledge; a renowned historian, summing up the importance of Laisser-Faire, or providing a helpful summary of the ways in which census information can be put over to learners.

4. Wikis in plain English http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dnL00TdmLY

There are several You Tube videos in the 'in plain English' stable, including ones on blogs, social bookmarking and so on. They are only a fw minutes long and provide a clear and simple introduction on wikis, blogs etc, and instructions for where to go to get going on them and trying them out for yourself

5. Cromwell spoof page http://freespace.virgin.net/susan.inwards/index.htm

A good resource for dealing with what Ben Walsh calls 'Encarta Syndrome', and introducing pupils to issues of the web and reliability, I am grateful to Sue Holland for bringing this site to my attention. It could be used in conjunction with resources which help learners to become critically aware users of the web (see for instance, '5 criteria for evaluating webpages', http://www.library.cornell.edu/okuref/research/webcrit.htmlThere is also a Cromwell portal at http://www.cromwell.argonet.co.uk which you could move on to take up issues of reliability and authority of web materials.

6. Podcasts http://historicalpodcasts.googlepages.com/

If you are interested in podcasts, this URL links to an excellent gateway site which can give you some idea about what can be done with history podcasts. Amongst other things the site demonstrates that podcasts can be stunningly boring (might be used as a punishment for badly behaved pupils?) or pretty interesting. Some history podcasts and podcasters have acquired a cult following. There is (if it is still there) an interesting podcast on the Downing St website which features Simon Schama interviewing Tony Blair on his views about history.

7. Schoolshistory http://www.schoolshistory.org.uk

Has links to good departmental websites, so you can think about what a good departmental website would offer, plus an interesting range of 'interactive lessons' and lessons for able pupils. (Schoolhistory is another interesting site: http://schoolhistory.co.uk)

8. History department websites http://www.internationalschooltoulouse.net and www.internationalschoolhistory.net 

Some history departments have got fantastic websites. The one above is Richard Jones' site. Have a look at the depth of the site, and the ways in which ICT is used to improve teaching and learning in history - think about how enjoyable and interesting many of the activities are compared to 'reading round the class'; 'doing a worksheet', 'working from the text book'.

9. The Eugenics Archive http://vector.cshl.org/eugenics

One of the interesting new big American sites which has real depth; could perhaps change the way you approach the Holocaust?

10. Crisis at Fort Sumte rhttp://www.tulane.edu/~latner/CrisisMain.html

Another big American site- I know it's not on a N/C topic, but it shows how the Americans are getting beyond "quiz" levels of interactivity.

11. Example of a good 'A' level essay http://www.ipswich.suffolk.sch.uk/departments/history/tory.htm

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