I really like websites that allow teachers to create class accounts, so that we can monitor the students’ progress. One such site is Terraclues. This site has user-created quizzes. Students are given a clue to a location on earth, then they must locate that spot on a map. This is a good cross-curricular activity because it combines Geography with Research skills.
Chartle is more than just charts.
Today, I asked my students to utilize Chartle to create a population map, which they then embedded on their blogs.
Here are the instructions that I printed for them on Engrade:
Go to www.chartle.net
Create > Map II > Lat/Long GeoMap
Title = Population
Width = 500 ; Height = 400
Data tab > Region = Canada
Remove all the locations.
You will add your own locations. You need to add 10 Canadian cities. Choose any cities you want to from this list:
http://www.bcca.org/misc/qiblih/latlong_ca.html
Enter the information for each city. Label = the name of the city. Latitude and longitude = only write the first two digits; and the longitude must be negative; ie, Calgary is Lat: 15, Long: -114
Value = the population of the city. Some populations are at this website:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_the_100_largest_urban_areas_in_Canada_by_population
Embed your map on your blog.
Here is one student’s product.
UMapper allows you to play user-created map games; wherein, you must identify the location of different cities and countries.
What’s more, you (or your students) can create your own games. My students found the process for creating games to be a bit tricky, but there is a video on the website that explains the procedure.
We did a fun little activity we did in Geography today. Here are the instructions I wrote on Engrade: 
Go to www.placespotting.com.
Click on "Create.”
Select a Canadian or a World landmark. (Use Google to research one.)
Enter the name of your landmark in the entry field of the Place Spotting website and click "Jump To Place Or Address.”
Input at least 3 hints.
Input the Captcha code and click on "Store.”
Embed the image link (#3) on your blog.
Repeat this process until you have created 5 puzzles.
Here is a student exemplar.
Today in Geography, I asked the students to design their own dream bedroom. The purpose of the activity was to give the students the opportunity to enhance their mapping skills and spatial cognition.
The students used a home design website called “Autodesk Project Dragonfly” to create their designs.
The students really enjoyed the activity, especially this student.
This year, I am teaching Geography, History and English; plus, some other subjects.
I was not having much difficulty creating English activities for the students that incorporate the internet; however, I was having difficulty developing online activities for my two social sciences classes.
Today in Geography, I asked the students to do an activity using internet resources, which I will describe presently. The class was enjoyable for me, and I think the students enjoyed their one hour with me more than they would have if they had been forced to do worksheets. As a corollary, there were no classroom management issues. It dawned on me that I need to continue to develop online activities. By now, I should have a sufficiently adequate pool of resources from which to choose. What is required of me is a bit of creative thinking to imagine ways that the prescribed curriculum can be adapted to the internet.
At this point, there is no compelling reason for me to use worksheets. It was be foolish of me to do so.
For the map activity, I had students download a blank jpeg of Montreal. Then, using the website, Fotoflexer, the students added text to their map, labelling the rivers and major areas of the city. Tomorrow, the students will use Wikispaces to create a webpage that describes Montreal (the population, the major developments, and so on). They will include their map on the their webpage.
