Utilizing the Web

 

Ever found yourself teaching a class or unit you've never taught before?  Or maybe it's your first year as a teacher?  I am telling you now, please, Please, PLEASE don't reinvent the wheel.  There is no need to spend night after night creating worksheets and notes when so many resources are available online.  I wish so badly I had taken advantage of what's out there during my first year.  Instead, I created everything from scratch, missed a lot of my youngest daughter's babyhood, and all for a job that didn't work out in the end.  Don't let this be you!

My favorite website for biology and anatomy materials is www.biologycorner.com.  This site is an EXCELLENT resource for high school teachers.  It is comprehensive, including hundreds of worksheets, PowerPoints, blog posts, and other materials.  You can find places like this by simply searching for what you need.  For example, you can search for "mitosis worksheet".  After you find a document that works for you be sure to notice the website it came from.  Even if the search link took you directly to the worksheet, you may find a treasure-trove of materials if you look at the entire site.  Another handy search tip I use all the time is to tell the search engine what type of file you are looking for.  For example, if I need notes on natural selection, I can search specifically for PowerPoints by typing "natural selection notes filetype:ppt".  You can also say "filetype:doc" if you want a word document or pdf.  This saves you tons of time sorting through links that aren't useful.  One thing to watch out for.  Note the name of the link before you download anything.  Make sure it sounds like a legit place for this material to come from.  Also, your computer may pop up with a security prompt warning you against the download.  If that happens heed the warning!  I have only had issues twice in seven years, but that was enough.  It's no fun spending the day running virus scans.   

Online resources are incredibly useful when handled properly.  They can also help you be a better teacher by freeing up your time to really plan your lessons well.  However, to get the most out of the web and do your job to the best of your ability, there are a few things you should keep in mind.  First make sure what you are using is up-to-date.  One of the great things about biology is how fast the field is growing.  New discoveries are made every day.  You, as the expert in the room, need to make sure you are using materials that are current. 

Second,  you do not want to literally pull every lesson from any online source.  Your course should reflect yourself, your school, your state's standards, and most importantly, your students.  You will need to make adjustments, but that's all to the good.  Your class must be your own. 

Third, pulling a worksheet offline does not a lesson make.  Be sure you have reviewed the material yourself and are ready to answer questions about it.  Looking over the worksheets/notes prior to delivery is essential.  Mistakes and misprints may have been made.  When I am using a document for the first time I prefer to download it to my own computer before I print so I can adjust the format, language, and any other issues. Once this is accomplished you can save the item for future years with all the changes made.  It also makes it easy to fix any problems you discover while teaching the lesson.  It's much better to make yourself notes and fix things that didn't work while it is fresh in your mind.  Next year you won't remember what a horrible question that was until it's too late.

Finally, remember to always credit the original creator or source for anything you use!

The web is a vast and wonderful resource.  Take advantage of it!  You CAN have a life as a teacher, even a new one.  Take what's out there and make it your own.  I hope this helps give you a place to start.