Information Technology (IT) Fundamentals
 Related Links

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IT CORE SKILLS

Mastering Information Technology Basics

Learning About Technology - Instructional Resources

• Intel – Learning About Technology
• Microsoft – Instructional Resources for Educators
• Inventing the Future Teacher Guides

History, Impact, and Trends

• History of the Internet/How Things Work
• PBS Resource on Understanding and Using the Internet
• Test Your Net IQ
• Analog/Digital: What’s the Difference?

Emerging Technologies

• National Workforce Center for Emerging Technologies
• Future Watch - Computerworld
• The Great Computer Debates—Exploring Computer Controversies (New York Times Teacher Connections)
• Nanotechnology
  • Foresight Institute
  • National Nanotechnology Initiative
  • NanoBusiness Alliance
  • Think Small—An Introduction to Nanotechnology (New York Times Teacher Connections)

Binary System

• Binary Number Converter (Key in a decimal number and see the equivalent in binary.)
• Back to Basics—Binary Numbers and Computers (applies binary theory to color on computers)

Hardware Tutorials

• PC Computer Notes and Hardware Tutorials
• Kids Online: Click-N-Learn (Click on image of CPU to learn about various parts.)

Operating System Tutorial

• DOS Tutorial

Related IT Hardware and Software

• Tech Depot: Hardware and Software
• How to Buy a Computer
• EBuying Guide

Ethical and Legal Issues

• How Does Ethics Apply to Computers?
• The Institute for Business, Technology, and Ethics
• MP3: Legal and Ethical Issues
• Computer Crimes
• Cyberspace Law
• Cyberspace Law Bibliography
• Intellectual Property and Computer Theft
• Interactive Computer Ethics Explorer (Online Quiz)
• Netiquette Quiz
• Codes of Ethics Online
• The Core Rules of Netiquette
• Ten Commandments of Computer Ethics
• Copyright Website: Online Copyright Registration Service and Copyright Information Portal
• Copyright and Intellectual Property
• Stanford Copyright & Fair Use Center
• US Copyright Office
• US Patent and Trademark Office

Investigating Careers in Information Technology

CyberCareers for the Net Generation! (National Workforce Center for Emerging Technology)

Virginia Career Resources 

• CareerConnect (Virginia's One Stop Workforce System)
• Guide to Career Prospects in Virginia
• KnowHowVirginia
• r u ready
• Virginia Career Resource Network
• Virginia Employment Commission
         Mid-Atlantic Guide to Information on Careers (MAGIC)
         Virginia's Electronic Labor Market Access (VELMA)
• Virginia Career VIEW

Career Publications

• CareerMag
• CareerJournal

Career Assessment

• Princeton Review Career Quiz
• Keirsey Temperament Sorter

Career Fields

• Career Clusters
• Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Projections for Occupations
• Salaries

How Do I Get There?

• Writing Electronic Resumes
• Interviewing
• Career Path
• Job Bank USA
• Federal Jobs Digest
• America’s Job Bank
• Monster Board

Career Portfolios

• Your Job Skills Portfolio: Giving You an Edge in the Marketplace

Using Computer Applications

Microsoft in Education: On-Line Tutorials

Word Processing

• Word Processing Tips
• The Basics of WORD 2000 and Tutorials
• The ABC's of Word Processing

Spreadsheets

• Basic Spreadsheet Concepts
• Lemonade Stand Business--Spreadsheet, Internet, and Powerpoint Project
• Introduction to Spreadsheets
• Free Excel file downloads (calendars, schedulers, etc.)

Databases

• Database Dictionary
• Planning and Designing a Database
  • http://www.geekgirls.com/databasics_03.htm
  • http://www.geekgirls.com/databases_from_scratch_2.htm
• Creating an Access Database
  • http://www.geekgirls.com/databasics_02.htm
• Streamlining Data Entry
  • http://www.geekgirls.com/databasics_04.htm
• Getting Information out.
  • http://www.geekgirls.com/databasics_05.htm
• Exploring Query Types
  • http://www.geekgirls.com/databasics_06.htm
  • http://www.geekgirls.com/databasics_07.htm
  • Business Simulation Project

Multimedia Presentations

• PowerPoint On-Line Tutorials and Teaching Ideas
• PowerPoint in the Classroom
• Microsoft PowerPoint Tutorial
• Creating Your Visuals: Text Enhancements
• Presenting Solutions—Effective Presentations by Art Feierman

Effective Presentations

• Presentation Video Clips
• Presenting Solutions—Effective Presentations by Art Feierman

Desktop Publishing

• Brochure Project

Developing Employability/Workplace Readiness Skills

• CTE Resource Center (Request video and activity guides for work ethic and Virginia's Workplace Readiness Skills)
• Employability Skills Assessment (ESA)

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INFORMATION SUPPORT AND SERVICES

Developing Computer Fundamentals

• Computer Terminology
• C/Net (PC Product Reviews/Tech News)
• Essential Computer Skills: Tutorials
• Build a PC
• ProQuest K-12  (Digital Teaching and Learning)
• How Stuff Works
• Jeopardy Review--Input, Output, and Basic Computer Info
• Jeopardy Review--Computer Storage Devices
• Free Virus Programs
  • AVG Anti-Virus Software
  • Avast! Anti-Virus Software
• Free Firewall
  • Zone Alarm
• PC Guide

Computer Security

• Big Boss Is Watching
• Cyber Criminals Get Caught!

Presentation Topics on Web Security

• ACLU: Q&A on the Pentagon's "Total Information Awareness" Program
• Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act of 1994
• Hampton Roads Traffic Cams
• Surveillance Camera Players
• Crime Cams
• Organized Crime in Cyberspace
• Electronic Privacy Information Center
• How Facial Recognition Systems Work

Maintaining, Upgrading, and Troubleshooting Computers

• Computer Repair with Diagnostic Flowcharts

Ensuring Computer Safety

• Working Safely with Computers

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NETWORK SYSTEMS

Developing Network Fundamentals

• Computer Networking Guides for Beginners (Network Glossary, Networking Basics, Networks for Beginners, Networking Terms, and Ultimate Guide to Networking)
• Network Magazine – An excellent on-line magazine with a lot of useful networking information.  Also includes tutorials on testing cables and useful information for the Net Ess exam.
• Network Tutorial Game
• Network Management
• Network Basics

Communicating Through the Internet

• PBS Resource on Understanding and Using the Internet
• Internet Tutorials
• Simple and Concise Guide to Searching on the Internet
• Popular Search Engines
  • Google
  • Dogpile
  • Northern Light
  • Fast Search
  • Alta Vista
• Multimedia Search Engines
  • www.altavista.com (Special tabs for images, audio, and video)
  • www.ditto.com (Pictures, photos, artwork)
• Using MLA Style to Cite and Document Resources
• Free E-Mail Accounts
  • www.hotmail.com
  • google mail
  • www.yahoo.com

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PROGRAMMING AND SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT

Introducing Programming Basics

• Visual Basic Tutorial
• Programming Tutorials

Designing and Producing Webpages/Websites

• HTML - Tutorial
• XHTML Tutorial
• Student Web Page/Multimedia Project Rubric
  http://www.microsoft.com/frontpage/
• Davesite Interactive HTML Tutorial 
• http://www.htmltutorials.ca/
• Webmonkey Tutorial. Indexed list of things to do in HTML. Can be used to supplement or review. Includes a monkey-see, monkey-do project where they give you something and you recreate it using the correct HTML code.
• Microsoft FrontPage and Flash
• Webmonkey:  The Web Developers Resource
• Web Developer’s Virtual Library
• Downloading and Installing Shockwave
• Downloading and Installing Quicktime
• Class Webpage Internet Project
• Javascript Typing Test

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INTERACTIVE MEDIA

Working with Graphics and Interactive Media

• Animation Factory
• How Stuff Works:  Computer Stuff  |  Electronics Stuff
• 3-D Discovery and 3-D Animation
• Download MovieMaker for Windows XP
• Digital Tutorials
• Macromedia Flash Tutorials
• WebMonkey: How To Library
• Animation Tutorial
• Streaming Media World
• CD Rom Technology

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NEWS ABOUT INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

• MSNBC
• U. S. News and World Report
• USA Today
• PC World
• Computer News Daily
• Web Marketing Today
• InfoWorld (No. 1 IT Industry Magazine)
• Woody's Watch
  

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TEACHER TOOLS

• Free Puzzlemaker Software
• Discovery School’s PuzzleMaker