Using NSDL Resources for Teaching and Learning

Instructional Architect (IA) can be used to create instructional websites...quick and easy! You simply create a project, collect and add your resources, then publish to the web. You will find that planning and collecting resources takes the most time, not actually creating the webpage.

There are three ways to collect resources for a site you want to create: 1) search for other IA projects, 2) search the NSDL database, or 3) add your own resources. The following site was found by searching IA for fractions.

Ms. Dawson: Fractions are Fun
Fractions are Fun! (check out using pattern blocks)

Earlier, you learned about the following NSDL sites which are great Jumping Off Points for anyone looking for educational resources including activities, lesson plans, media, and much more. These sites were found by searching the NSDL database.

Eisenhower National Clearinghouse: Middle School Portal, DLESE: Digital Library for Earth System Education, and Teacher's Domain are great places to begin.


We all know that learning can be FUN! Here are a couple of interactive games that are educational, engaging, and fun: Earth Kids (NASA) and NetSmartz Kids (Internet Safety). The eSkeletons Project and Virtual Manipulatives are other examples of what is best on the web that actively engage learners with educational content. Some of these sites were added using the "add my own resources" feature.

Now that you have seen what IA can do, it is your turn to create your own project! LetÂ’s begin by first setting up your IA account at Instructional architect (http://ia.usu.edu). We will walk through the process together!