Don’t Just Google It: 5 Better Ways to Use the Internet for School
It’s no secret that the internet has become an integral part of our lives. For students, this is especially true, as we use the internet for everything from doing research to completing school assignments.
While Google is certainly a valuable tool, there are other websites and resources out there that students can use to get their work done.
This blog post will explore five better ways to use the internet for school. Keep reading to learn more!
1. Create collaboration groups
If you’re working on a group project, there are many different ways that you can use the internet to collaborate with your teammates. Services like Google Drive and Dropbox allow you to share files and work on them together in real-time, while other platforms like Slack provide a place for you to communicate with one another and stay up-to-date on the project.
Tips on how to create collaboration groups online
There are a few key things to keep in mind when creating collaboration groups online:
- Find a platform that works for you and your team. There are many different options out there, so take some time to explore what’s available.
- Create a communication plan. This will help everyone stay on the same page and avoid any confusion.
- Set clear goals and deadlines. This will ensure that everyone is working towards the same goal and that the project stays on track.
- Keep all of your files organized. This will make it easier to find things when you need them and prevents work from getting lost in the shuffle.
- Make sure everyone has access to the resources they need. This step is essential for smooth collaboration, whether it’s sharing login information or making sure everyone has the correct software.
- Regularly check in with one another. This gives you a chance to see how everyone is doing and to offer support if needed. This ensures that everyone is on the same page and no one falls behind.
- Give and receive feedback. This will help the team learn and grow, and it can also make the collaboration process more enjoyable.
- Establish ground rules for how you’ll work together. This can include things like deadlines, meeting times, and what each person’s role will be.
- Celebrate your successes. Working on a project can be tough, so it’s important to take a step back and appreciate your accomplishments along the way.
2. Use organization tools
One of the best ways to use the internet for school is to take advantage of all the different organization tools that are available. Services like Evernote and Trello allow you to keep track of your assignments, create to-do lists, and set reminders, while Google Calendar can help you stay on top of upcoming deadlines.
Tips on how to use organization tools:
Here are a few tips on how to use organization tools:
- Find a tool that works for you. There are many different options out there, so take some time to explore what’s available.
- Think about how you want to use the tool. Are you looking for something to help you keep track of your assignments? Stay organized? Set reminders?
- Create a system that works for you. Whether it’s color-coding your notes or setting up daily to-do lists, find a way to use the tool that works best for you.
- Stay flexible. As your needs change, be willing to adjust your system accordingly.
- Make use of all the features. Most organization tools have a lot of different features, so take some time to explore what’s available and see how you can put them to use.
- Share your system with others. If you know someone who could benefit from using an organization tool, share your system with them!
3. Do your research
The internet is a great place to do research for school projects and online assignments. When you’re using the internet for research, it’s important to be mindful of where you’re getting your information from and to make sure that it’s reliable. Try to stick to sources like government websites, educational websites, and peer-reviewed journals.
Tips on how to do research online:
Here are a few tips on how to do research using the internet:
- Start with a specific question in mind. This will help you focus your search and find the most relevant information.
- Use reliable sources. When you’re looking for information online, it’s important to make sure that you’re using reliable sources. Look for government websites, educational websites, and peer-reviewed journals.
- Evaluate your results. Once you’ve found some information, take a step back and evaluate what you’ve found. Is it relevant to your question? Is it from a reliable source?
- Make sure you understand the information. It’s not enough to just find the information you’re looking for—you also need to make sure that you understand it. If something is confusing, try looking for additional resources or explanations.
- Use what you’ve learned. Once you’ve done your research, put what you’ve learned to use. Whether you’re applying it to a school project or using it to make a personal decision, the information you’ve gathered will be more useful if you take the time to apply it.
4. Make your lessons more visual
When you’re studying for a test or trying to learn new information, adding visuals can be a great way to help you remember what you’re learning. In addition to traditional methods like flashcards and charts, there are also a number of online tools that can help you create visuals.
Services like Piktochart and Canva allow you to create infographics, while sites like Quizlet offer digital flashcards and study guides.
Tips on how to make your lessons more visual:
Here are a few tips on how to make your lessons more visual using the internet:
- Find a tool that works for you. There are many different options available, so take some time to explore what’s available.
- Think about how you want to use the tool. Are you looking to create an infographic? A chart? A digital flashcard?
- Find templates or examples. If you’re not sure where to start, try finding templates or examples that you can use as a starting point.
- Be creative. Once you have a general idea of what you want to create, let your creativity run wild and see what you can come up with.
- Use multiple visuals. When you’re trying to learn new information, using multiple visuals can be helpful. Try creating a few different versions of your visual aid and see which one works best for you.
- Add text. In addition to visuals, adding text can also be helpful. Try including key terms or concepts that you want to remember.
- Use color. Adding color to your visual aid can help make it more visually appealing and easier to remember.
- Save or print your visual aid. Once you’re happy with your visual aid, make sure to save it so you can refer back to it later. You may also want to print it out to have a physical copy.
- Share your visual aid with others. If you know someone who could benefit from using your visual aid, share it with them.
5. Take advantage of online resources
There are many online resources that can help you with every aspect of your life, from studying for a test to managing your finances. Whether you’re looking for an online calculator or a tutorial on how to make a budget, there’s sure to be a resource out there that can help you.
And if you can’t find what you’re looking for, there’s always the option of creating your own resource.
Tips on how to take advantage of online resources:
Here are a few tips on how to take advantage of online resources:
- Start with a search engine. When you’re looking for online resources, a good place to start is with a search engine like Google.
- Think about what you need. Before you start searching, take a moment to think about what you need. Do you need a tutorial? A calculator? Some tips on how to do something?
- Try different keywords. If you’re having trouble finding what you’re looking for, try using different keywords in your search.
- Check out government websites. Government websites are a great resource for finding reliable information.
- Explore educational websites. Educational websites can be a great source of information, especially if you’re looking for tutorials or lessons.
- Look for peer-reviewed journals. Peer-reviewed journals are a good place to start if you’re doing research.
- Evaluate your results. Once you’ve found some information, take a step back and evaluate what you’ve found. Is it relevant to your question? Is it from a reliable source?
- Make sure you understand the information. It’s not enough to find the information you’re looking for—you also need to make sure that you understand it. If something is confusing, try looking for additional resources that can help you understand it better.
- Apply what you’ve learned. Once you’ve found and understood the information you need, it’s time to put it into action!
Final Thoughts!
The internet has become an indispensable tool for students of all ages. However, simply Googling the answer to every question is not the most effective use of this valuable resource. In addition to using search engines, students can find quality information online by utilizing other websites and tools.
At High School of America, we provide our students with access to a wealth of resources that help them succeed in their academic pursuits. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you achieve your educational goals.
We would be happy to answer any questions you have and help you get started on the path to success.