The ECEOL Treasure Hunt an Internet training exercise for early childhood educators.

Would you like to find out what the Internet offers early educators? Interested in learning more about becoming a successful contributor to a LISTSERV community? Try the ECEOL"treasure hunt" exercise and learn some important Internet basics. You will need: A WWW browser (ex. MS Explorer, Safari) and Internet access A Starting Point-the ECEOL web site located at http://www.umaine.edu/eceol A sense of adventure and willingness to try something new Printing out a copy of the ECEOL Treasure Hunt may prove helpful... Let's Get Started! -Open up your WWW browser and enter this "URL" or web site address: http://www.umaine.edu/eceol (not sure how to do this? Ask a librarian or friend who knows how to show you.) You are now on the ECEOL home page. 1. The ECEOL-L LISTSERV- some useful commands..... a. Can you find the instructions explaining how to subscribe/unsubscribe to the ECEOL-L LISTSERV? (Hint: click on the underlined phrase to move to the linked page with these and other LISTSERV instructions.) b. Search for information on the page explaining how a LISTSERV mailing list works. c. Print out the listserv instructions and keep them near the computer for future reference.  *Bonus question- search the ECEOL archives for interesting topics. d. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the symbol to return to the home page. 2. The ECEOL Web site.... Read about the purpose of the ECEOL web site. This "treasure hunt" will help you become familiar with the layout of this collection of web sites, and hopefully lead you to information that can help you in your work- the treasure. The following questions are for the 8 sections of the ECEOL site. 3. Click on the section of the ECEOL site sharing information on ECE and the 'Net. a. Check out a "Netiquette" link and find 2 tips to share. b. Check out the "Search Engines" section and do one Internet search for a topic that interests you. (ex. "Early childhood assessment" or "The Reggio Emilia Approach") c. Scroll down the page and find a web evalution site. Learn how to find reliable information by picking up web site evaluation skills. 4. Locate and open the Professional Development section. a. Find the ECAP Collaborative web site and click on the publications link to find the ERIC/EECE digests. Pick one ERIC digest that looks interesting and print it for your resource library. b. Go to the NAEYC web site. Look at the side bar and click on Parents or Early Childhood Professionals. Click on the Early Years are Learning Years link and find one topic that interests you. Open up and read that document. c. Look for another web site that interests you on the professional development page. Click on that "link" and visit the site. 5. Open the Advocacy section. a. See if you can find a group that is interested in promoting reseach based information on the importance of early growth and development as part of a national public awareness campaign. Find out why the first three years of life are so important. Read about resources from this campaign that might prove to be useful additions to an early childhood resource collection. b. Check out one other web site on the advocacy page that interests you. 6. Find the Curriculum and Environments area. a. Can you find a site that deals with doing long-term projects with young children? Visit this site to learn more about this approach. b. Choose and explore another educational approach link. c. Pick one curriculum web site link and explore it- look for ideas you can use. d. Click on the link to the Early Childhood Art Lessons web site. Can you find a list of art doughs that can be made and used with children?  7. Visit the "Issues" area. a. Imagine the following scenario. You are employed as an early childhood educator and want to bring computers to your classroom but have no money in the budget to do so. See if you can find a web site that might help you in your fund-raising efforts. b. Find a site that will help you with health and safety questions in early childhood settings. Investigate the site to see what kind of information is being offered, and what group is providing the information. 8. Explore the Children and Developmental Guidelines section of the ECEOL web site. a. Choose one of the sections prepared by the National Network for Child Care and discover what organization operates the NNCC. b. Visit The Magic of Everyday Moments site. List ways you can use this information. 9. Visit the Diversity section. a. Find the web site that is devoted to Teaching Tolerance nationwide, and offers a free kit for early educators to use with young children. Click on the curriculum resources link to learn more about the "Starting Small" materials. b. Visit another site interested in diversity issues. c. Visit the Early Childhood Research Institute on Inclusion and read about inclusion. *Bonus Question Return to a site you've explored earlier in the Treasure Hunt to see if its information is compatible with an inclusive philosophy. State your views. 10. Locate the Observation and Assessment section of the web site. Click on this final area. a. Look for a web site that will give you information on using portfolios as a tool for observation and assessment. b. Read an assessment article, and record key ideas as to why assessment is so critically important to early childhood education practices.