With all of the places on the internet for Wisconsin's educators to go, where can we begin our
search for quality resources that are evaluated and selected especially for us by other
Wisconsin educators? The IDEAS Web site at: http://www.IDEAS.Wisconsin.edu is a portal
that provides Wisconsin educators access to high-quality, highly usable, teacher-reviewed
content. The focus is on web-based curricular research and other selected resources. These
resources help state educators use technology to meet the Wisconsin Model Academic
Standards and create the foundation for a statewide knowledge management system. The
IDEAS Web site is currently funded by the TEACH Wisconsin Collaboration Committee,
contracted through UW-Extension and supported through the efforts of numerous
organizations.

IDEAS was created in response to needs expressed by Wisconsin's teachers. What sets
IDEAS apart from other Web sites geared toward teachers is that all of the resources available
on IDEAS are evaluated by Wisconsin educators. Each piece is assessed using a rubric that
rates the resource's format, content and learning processes. In addition to quality, all of the
resources on IDEAS are aligned with the Wisconsin Model Academic Standards in the
appropriate content area(s): language arts, mathematics, science, social studies and
information and technology literacy.

Nathan Trick, online resources specialist for Instructional Communications Systems at
UW-Extension, is the Webmaster for the project. Nathan has been with IDEAS for over
two years and is committed to the development of the IDEAS site and database. The
technology is being updated to support high volumes of user activity in the future.

The IDEAS Web site was launched on August 1, 2001. Since that time, IDEAS has seen
an average of over 2,500 new users and over 60,000 hits each month. Eventually, IDEAS
will be a central cataloging system for resources of all kinds, ranging from lesson plans to
compressed video to professional development resources. There are plans to personalize
the portal for more efficient and friendly user service. Teacher feedback on resources is also
posted for other teachers to view. The project will be promoted and demonstrated
throughout the year at conferences and conventions such as the Wisconsin Education
Association Council, Northwestern Wisconsin Education Association, and the Governor's
Wisconsin Educational Technology Conference.

In order to populate the IDEAS site with worthwhile and proven resources, IDEAS is
recruiting experienced, talented educators from Wisconsin to assist in the gathering of
resources. These educators will focus on resources in one core area: language arts,
science, social studies or math. The teams will be made up of educators representing
each of these levels in the four areas: elementary, middle school, high school and
institutions of higher education. If you are interested in working with IDEAS or finding
out more about it, contact IDEAS project director John Fischer at: 608-262-3340 or visit
the Web site at: http://www.IDEAS.Wisconsin.edu