~ Early Web Links ~

Created by Messenjah and hosted on Albino Blacksheep, this tutorial reveals hidden and lesser-known tricks in Microsoft Paint, from scalable brushes to custom stamp tools and 3D extrusion effects. Packed with illustrated examples, it makes a compelling case that MS Paint is far more capable than most users realize.

KidsThinkDesign.org is an educational platform created by Kids Design Collaborative to introduce young people ages 9-14 to the wide world of design disciplines, from fashion and architecture to animation and product design. Certified by the kidSAFE seal program, the site aims to engage students in creative thinking and 21st century skills through interactive, design-focused content.

Mrs Pancake offers a continuously updated collection of free printable educational resources aimed at Key Stage 1 and Early Years teachers, parents, and children. Classroom aids like calendar frames, weather symbols, alphabet letters, clock hands, and craft projects make this a handy toolkit for early childhood education.

The Daring Librarian is Gwyneth Jones's blog for school librarians and educators, with this popular post detailing an updated Makerspace Starter Kit built for a middle school library on a modest budget. It covers what tools and supplies worked, what flopped, and how to set up a low-cost creative space that students can use independently during free periods.

JJMK focuses on electricity saving tips and energy conservation, offering guidance on the best ways to reduce power consumption at home. The site covers energy saving devices and practical strategies for cutting electricity costs.

Produced by the Florida Center for Instructional Technology at the University of South Florida, this guide walks beginners through the fundamentals of the Internet, from what the web is and how browsers work to navigation basics and productivity tools. It covers the history of the Internet from its ARPA origins through to modern use, making it a solid introductory reference for educators and students alike.

Stephen Downes is a Canadian researcher at the National Research Council specializing in e-learning, networked learning, and educational technology, and this hub collects his extensive publications, newsletters, presentations, and commentary spanning decades. Best known as co-originator of the Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) concept and author of the widely-read OLDaily newsletter, Downes covers topics from connectivism and open access to AI in education.

Dr. Fred Bortz is a children's science writer and educator whose site showcases his books on topics ranging from subatomic particles to planetary astronomy, school visit programs, and a Q&A section where kids can ask science questions. With approved science education credentials and a catalog spanning the Higgs Boson to Mars exploration, this site serves as a friendly gateway connecting young readers, teachers, and librarians to accessible science literature.

Tatsumoto's AJATT (All Japanese All The Time) site offers a comprehensive, free guide to learning Japanese through mass immersion rather than traditional classes or paid courses. Packed with Anki decks, tool recommendations, a FAQ, and a growing library of articles, it champions self-study using spaced repetition and engaging native content.

Alan Levine, known online as CogDog, is a veteran web educator and consultant who has been building open web tools, storytelling projects, and digital learning resources since the early 1990s. His landing page showcases a career devoted to connected learning, open education, WordPress-based tools like SPLOT, and creative web storytelling experiments such as ds106 and 50+ Web 2.0 Ways To Tell a Story.