The Odyssey: Teachers Guide

Orientation
Kids' Zone Info
FAQs
Additional Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this going to take a lot of my time?

What if I don't really know a lot about the Internet?

Is it going to be a pain to try to use the Internet with my kids?

How should I get started?

How can I do this AND cover everything else I'm supposed to get to in my class?

So, what about all the things on the Internet I DON'T want my students to find or learn about?!?

What if I have limited computer access?

Yeah, well what if I don't have access to ANY computers at my school?!?

Is there a better way to engage all of my students in what I teach WHILE raising their consciousness about world cultures and urgent global issues, AND getting them involved in affecting change in the world?

Is this going to take a lot of my time?
NO! It can actually SAVE you a lot of time! The Odyssey will be continually providing you with tips for assignments to give the students when they are using The Odyssey Web Site or as extensions. Then, by taking advantage of the lessons - either using them as complete units or by pulling the lessons you are most interested in - you will benefit from all the time other teachers have put into creating innovative activities for your immediate use.
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What if I don't really know a lot about the Internet?
All the more important that you take advantage of The Odyssey! As educators, we understand how short your time is and have a sense for what you interests and concerns are about the Internet. We also know what it means to take 30 or more students to a computer lab and try to pass those skills on to them!
You will want to try the online activities out yourself before doing them with your class in the same way you would want to run through any lessons for your class. But the Odyssey is intended to draw the students in and to be easy-to-use for you.
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Is it going to be a pain to try to use the Internet with my kids?
Using technology with your classes does take a little getting used to at first, BUT the returns are enormous. Once you and your students become familiar with the Web and The Odyssey's easy-to-use format, and become used to the computers you are using, it becomes a luxury for you because it is so engaging for students and simple for you! So take advantage of the support The Odyssey is providing to introduce you and your students to the Internet's powerful educational potential. Then reap the benefits as you participate in The Odyssey and extend the applications to other class activities, while you increase your students' success in and out of school!
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How should I get started?
1. Think about curriculum - You have many lessons and topics you want to or have to cover in your class. So you will probably want to take a look at the Teachers Guide where we provide you with itineraries for future stages of the Trek and the summaries of the archived content of completed stages. Team's itinerary. This will help you identify ways that using The Odyssey can tie in with your own time line and goals and expand on them throughout the course of the class.
2. Explore The Odyssey Web Site - You will be best off if you invest a little time up front exploring The Odyssey Student Web Site on the computers your students will be using. You will get a sense of the different ways The Odyssey can excite your students AND anticipate any problems or questions the students may have. Different computers have their own quirks, and by taking a little time now to try yours out, you can be ready if your students hit on them.
  The first few times the students are exploring the Web and The Odyssey Web Site, you will have to be patient with them, unless they are very familiar with the Internet. But even when things don't work the way the students expect, you will find they are always eager for more! AND THEN, after the first few times, you and they will settle in just like you and they always do after introducing something new!
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How can I do this AND cover everything else I'm supposed to get to in my class?
The Odyssey is NOT an add-on! The Odyssey is a powerful tool to incorporate into your existing curriculum. It allows you to engage a broad range of students in many of the topics you need to cover, while providing opportunities for students to apply their newly developed skills and knowledge through meaningful activities. These activities can thus supplement your existing curriculum to have a deeper and more lasting effect, AND provide you with a great tool for authentic assessment!
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So, what about all the things on the Internet I DON'T want my students to find or learn about?!?
The Internet is a forum for free speech par excellence and it certainly captures both the good and the not so good that goes along with it. But there are tools easily available to you to generally block your students from going where they shouldn't.
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What if I have limited computer access?
Of course it would be great if every student had access to a computer at a moment's notice. But even if you only have periodic access to one computer, there are many ways that students can do work in groups on the computer and do reports out to the class, among other things.
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Yeah, well what if I don't have access to ANY computers at my school?!?
It certainly limits your options, but if nothing else you can take advantage of The Odyssey's free curriculum for use independent of computer access. You could also follow along with the World Trek yourself as much as possible and provide your students with updates or printouts.
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Is there a better way to engage all of my students in what I teach WHILE raising their consciousness about world cultures and urgent global issues, AND getting them involved in affecting change in the world?
NOPE!
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