If you use the Internet a lot to collect resources for your students, then you probably know how important it is to be organized. TrackStar from 4teachers.com is a program that can really help!
1) TrackStar
TrackStar provides an easy to use interface for organizing websites around a central theme, then displays them in a single webpage with annotations. A great way to present an Internet-based lesson.
Web browsers (applications used to view the web such as Internet Explorer, Safari and Firefox) offer very basic filtering tools. There are more effective monitoring tools available, especiall. The most basic of which are search engines designed for use by Kids! These specialized engines allow your child to search the web without stumbling upon objectionable content.
Web browsers that are designed to filter out inappropriate content and limit such activities as chat and e-mail are available as well. Kids’ browsers usually feature colorful and fun-to-use interfaces.
Some examples are: Safexplorer and CyberPatrol.
Monitoring Tools allow you to monitor what your kids are doing on the web even when you can’t be there. Some allow for a later review of e-mail, chats and sites that your child visited. These tools work by recording what your child is doing. Some record keystrokes (every time your child presses a button on the keyboard) and mouse clicks, while others take numerous snapshots of the screen and play it back to you at a later time.
Some may find this method rather extreme. Children may find this to be a great imposition and suppression of exploratory freedom (if they know about it) or a violation of trust (if they inadvertently find out about it). This is, of course, a parental choice.
Examples of the these are Spector and SafeConnect.
Time Limiting Tools limit the amount of time that your kid can spend on the web. This is a great way to make sure that your kids are not becoming surf potatoes and spending their entire life online. Unless the time limiting function comes as a part of a multifunctional tool, it does not provide filtering features and similar restrictions..
Some examples include: EnuffPC and ChildWatch.
Most of the software products mentioned here are multifunctional; they combine more than one feature to make the Internet safer. When looking for an Internet-safety product, choose one that: filters content, allows time limiting, and most importantly, restricts instant messaging and chat.
Some options for the home include: NetNanny, SOSKidProof and CyberSitter.