SMART TEACHING
www.SmartTeaching.org

21. Useful Websites

©2005 Ron Fitzgerald, D. Ed.

This list will be revised and/or expanded periodically.  You might wish to check it once every month or two.  Just click on a bold heading to go to a specific site.

 - - Ron Fitzgerald
  • Jensen Learning - - One of the best sources ofconferences and training for brain-friendly teaching.  It also gives you access to information on the Annual Brain Expo.
  • Research on Brain-Based Teaching and Learning - The Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland provide this excellent site covering such topics as Brain-Based Learning Principles, Neuroscience for Kids, Learning Styles, and Multiple Intelligences.
  • Learning Styles - - This site was initiated to help students with learning disabilities.  However, it offers anyone a fast on-line learning style test at no cost.  The colorful graph of results is accompanied by a practical summary of learning activities appropriate for visual, auditory, and tactile learners.
  • The North Carolina Education Place - - This site is maintained by educators in North Carolina .  The topics then available on the home page include:

                              - Brain Theory                                         - Best Practices for Using the Internet Wisely

                              - Learning Styles                                          (a PowerPoint presentation)

                              - Integrating Technology                               

                              - Teacher Resources                                - The Educators Reference Desk

and others.

  • The Dana Foundation - - This site is provided by the private philanthropic organization and the Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives.  It reports more on brain research rather than teaching practices as such.  However the Brainy Kids Online and Brain Resources for Seniors section can be directly useful in education.
  • The Learning Revolution - - This will bring you to a page summarizing TQM presented more fully in the great book THE LEARNING REVOLUTION by Jeannette Vos and Gordon Dryden.  While this site is really an advertisement for the book, in the right margin of the web page you can click on any one of over 45 brain-based reform topics and get a one page summary giving you insight on the topic.  The summary can be printed.  You can also review any section of this book on line.
  • ASQ Books on Quality in Education - - This brings you to the American Society for Quality’s bookstore.  Click on Education for books on practicing total quality management (TQM) in schools.  The LEARN ABOUT QUALITY section in the left margin of the page can be used to access papers on quality topics.
  • Koality Kid - - This American Society for Quality web site gives information on ASQ’s education initiative, the Koalty Kid Alliance.  Over 100 schools have joined this alliance with elementary schools leading the way.  You can learn about annual conferences, membership, and resources here.  Local training can also be requested.
  • Total Quality Management in Secondary Education - -Describes TQM in Mr. Edgecumbe High School in Sitka, Alaska..
  • Total Quality Management in Vocational Education - - This presents an ERIC DIGEST paper on TQM in vocational education.  It is a general article.
  • Rubrics - - Rubistar is a free tool to help teachers make quality rubrics.  If you have read or use the SMART TEACHING book described under the TEACHERS’ HANDBOOK topic on the website you are using now, you know that using rubrics is an important technique for guiding and improving learning.  The Rubistar tool makes construction of rubrics convenient.