Navigate to the Internet

Navigate the Internet....

In creating meaningful lessons, we often have our students use web resources to access information.  Here are some quick ways to help direct your students to meaningful web resources:

Write it down.

I need to start with the obvious.  It does have its limitations though. This works when you're traveling to short url's like google.com or grinnelliowa.gov, but is not practical with most web addresses and also not with young learners. And notice that I didn't include "www." It's really not necessary any more.
Apple Classroom This already works on our K-4 iPads and will soon be available on teacher laptops for the iPads, as well. Tap on Navigate and send your entire class anywhere that is bookmarked already on your iPad. The Apple Classroom app should be installed already on your teacher iPad.  It is not needed on the student iPad.
Share Arrow   or   Sharrow This little command is usually used to Air Drop files, but in Safari can be used to also Air Drop a website.  It looks like a little square with an 'up' arrow in it.  It is a quick way to share digital resources. Share to an iPad, iPhone, laptop one at a time OR to an entire Apple Classroom class, if you have it set up.
QR Code These little squares are a really quick connection to web resources. You can quickly create a QR Code for any website.  I use qrstuff.com for all of mine. On an iPad, simply open the Camera App and point it at the QR Code.  Many teachers will either print this out or display a large version on their classroom projector from their computer.
ClassLink Many teachers have been using Symbaloo for several years.  It is a social bookmarking tool.  This has been used mostly in the elementary buildings.  Symbaloo has a really nice iPad App and can be easily customized. A new tool our District has subscribed to is called Classlink.  This can do everything that Symbaloo can, but will also auto-log a student into a password protected website.  This includes resources like BookFlix, Canvas, Google Classroom, and many more.  It has been used heavily this year with MAP and FAST testing at the elementary and middle school buildings. All of our K-12 students and staff already have a ClassLink account.  Send me a note if you would like to learn more about ClassLink.
URL Shortener I use tinyurl.com most often for this.  Some addresses that appear to be about 8 feet long can be quickly shortened to lengths that are easier to remember or type, if needed. I would use one of the methods above, if possible, instead.  No typing is needed then.  Use whatever means flows best in your classroom.  Do what you can to improve learning through engagement in a collaborative and creative environment.