By creating a locally stored Web site, teachers can provide students with the experience of the Internet without having an actual connection. This can be done using a standard browser (Netscape, Internet Explorer). Virtually any lesson can be modified into this format and enhance the established curriculum. Note: the use of technology should be used as carefully as any other teaching tool or technique. Technology based lessons should not take the place of all other teaching strategies, but it can be a wonderful enhancement to a mundane or weak lesson.

For example, it would be very simple to transform an ordinary lecture on the Presidents of the Populist Era into a simple web page containing the same information along with scanned images of the Presidents, quotes, and period graphics. The teacher could easily create a corresponding worksheet filled with a range of questions that target both upper and lower levels of analysis. The activity of the lesson would then be changed from a passive lecture to an active learning experience for the students. In a lab setting, it might also be beneficial to set-up local sites on multiple topics so that the students could rotate around the room and work in a self-paced environment.

In this type of setting, the teacher then becomes the facilitator and the students maintain their roles as learners. An additional benefit for the teachers is the fact that these sites can be stored and used numerous times. It is also very easy to update or modify the locally based sites.

Another option for teachers is to develop a locally based site to serve as a springboard for guiding students on the Internet. For example, if a teacher wants the students to compare and contrast five websites on the topic of nuclear weapons, a page could be developed that contained the five hyperlinks (with one click the students would arrive at the specific site), a description of the lesson, and possibly some discussion questions to consider. Again, a simple corresponding handout could be developed to focus the attention of the students.

The advantage to this system is that if the students follow the directions of the teacher and only visit the pre-determined sites, then there is no viable excuse for accidentally finding an inappropriate or non-related site.

Once you are comfortable with the basics of Web Page Design, you may want to consider teaching this technique to your students to use as an alternative to traditional book reports or paper and pencil projects. The development of a Web site by students is a great way to connect technology as a supplement to any aspect of curriculum.

Creating a Web site does not necessarily require an enormous amount of time. By keeping the layout and design simple, the actual process of inputting the content can be done very quickly. The links listed below offer many hints, suggestions, and guidelines to consider when developing a website.