Blue Ribbon Websites - Brief Article
Author: Instructor

Amazing teacher-created sites get top honors in our contest, sponsored

Everyone talks about the Web-based revolution going on in American classrooms. But what does that mean, exactly? Instructor wanted to find out how real teachers are harnessing the power of the Internet. That's why, in partnership with Macromedia, the California company that designs authoring software for media-rich Web sites, we held the Blue Ribbon Web Site Contest. The contest was open to K-8 teachers who, alone or with students, had created Web sites that play a key role in the lives of their classrooms.

Here, in addition to honoring the winners, we hope to inspire teachers to take advantage of the new technologies. As Kirsti Aho of Macromedia says, "Today's children are natural Web users, and those who work with basic Web tools right now will soon be ready to use professional tools which can powerfully enhance their ability to communicate. Macromedia sees the future of the Web in classrooms as a dynamic, interactive environment facilitated by collaboration."

Looking at the nearly 150 contest entries, we were struck by the hive-like hum of work in schools across the country. From everyday curriculum, to field trips and quilt projects, to special science, math, and reading initiatives--these classrooms are busy! And the best of their Web sites serve as a piece of the action, dynamically connecting kids not only to powerful educational content, but also to one another, to parents, and the world.