Web Smarts

www.school.aol.com

What: A teaching and safety tool that organizes the zoo of educational material on the Internet.

BEST POINTS: There are different portals according to grade level that can link students up with their interests on the Web - from interactive museums to news sites like Timeforkids.com. Students can also use the site for project research, help with homework, or to join student forums. Links are cataloged by educators from the American Association of School Administrators working with AOL.

The site also offers features designed to facilitate teachers' work, including an online grade book, a personal calendar, and lesson plans.

What YOU NEED TO KNOW: Free software for educators provides access to appropriate portals and lets teachers personalize their accounts. But parents and students can access the site without software from any Internet hook up. A built-in filter lets educators control access to different sites for different age groups.

(c) Copyright 2001. The Christian Science Publishing Society