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Resource reviews are provided for teachers to support their teaching and learning programs.
The views expressed by reviewers are not necessarily those of the NSW Department of Education and Training. Copyright for reviews is held by the NSW Department of Education and Training. Permission for reproduction of reviews in part or full for any purpose must be sought in writing. For further information contact colleen.foley@det.nsw.edu.au
Sites are listed alphabetically by title. Those reviews which note links to other sites, especially as a major part of the site, will require additional exploration time by teachers to verify specific curriculum applications relevant to their classes. The USER LEVEL descriptor, Professional, is a pertinent reminder of such issues. Please note that changes happen daily on the Internet. Sites come and go. We cannot guarantee that the following sites are permanent or are structured as they were when they were reviewed.
Absolute Shakepeare
A guide to writing well: compiled by Joshua Sowin
A
journey through Asia
AbleStable : serving the creative community
Aborigine News
All movie guide
Anime News Network
A place to think
Artmedia Publishing: contemporary Australian and New Zealand literary & performing arts
A. S. Byatt's Possession (Page for A. S. Byatt's
Possession)
Australian screen
Bell Shakespeare
Blade runner: Tee-vee or not tee-vee
The blurb
Bright lights film journal
Bringing them home: learning about the National Inquiry into the Separation of
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from Their Families
The Browning page
Celtx: media pre production: film, video, animation. machinima
Chasing Crusoe
Children and YA author Cynthia Leitich Smith
The works of Hans Christian Andersen
Cinematic terms: a film-making glossary
Clueless and Jane Austen's Emma
The collected works of Shakespeare
Comic book
Communications Law Centre
Contemporary postcolonial and postimperial literature in English
Converse: the literature website
Critical lenses: literary criticism
Cyberpoetry
Discovering Dickens: a community reading project
Eastgate
Edward R. Murrow: broadcasting history
English theatre
Euripides and his tragedies
Film Australia
Film, radio and TV. – 13,
Film script terminology
Film studies at the ANU
Folger Shakespeare Library: a lively place for learning
and the arts
GettyImages
Glossary of poetic terms from Bob's byway: a unique guide for the study of poetry
Guardian Unlimited: children: once upon a time
Guide to grammar and style
Guide to writing a basic essay
Gumshoes, sleuths & snoopers:
a crime fiction content database based on the George
Kelley paperback and Pulp fictioncollection
Hamlet and Macbeth
Hamlet works
Heroes: unit plan [English online]
Heywire
Holocaust encyclopedia
Internet archive
Jane Austen Society of Australia: study guide: Emma becomes Clueless
Jeannie Baker: artist, author, film maker: welcome to my web site
J-Learning: your how to site for community journalism
John Fowles - the web site
Jump Cut: a review of contemporary media
The literary gothic
Locus online : news, reviews, resources and perspectives of science fiction,
fantasy and horror
Long journey, young lives: an online documentary
Mark Twain in his times
Matt Ottley: author, artist, musician
Nadia Wheatley
Narrative magazine
National Museum of Australia
Neil Gaiman
Nicki Greenberg
Ocean planet: writings and images of the sea
OWL handouts: complete index by topic
OzLit@Vicnet - Australian literature, books,
reading & writing
Pacific stories learning
The Pardoner's tale (Chaucer: Pardoner's
tale)
Peter Skrzynecki’s web site (Welcome to Peter Skrzynecki's
web site)
Picturing books
Places of peace and power: the sacred site pilgrimage of Martin Gray
Poetry magic
The questions of postmodernism
Refractory: a journal of entertainment media
RhymeZone
Robert Browning: An overview
Seamus Heaney - Cover page
Senses of cinema : an online journal devoted to the serious and eclectic
discussion of cinema
Shakespeare illustrated
Shakespeare searched
Shakespeare: subject to change
Shaun Tan
Shrek
Spark Notes King Lear
Stagework
Summary Central
Teach with movies
Teaching Euripides' Medea
Teaching the American 20s: exploring the decade through literature and art
Ted Hughes homepage
The Psychedelic 60s: literary tradition and social change
The works of Hans Christian Andersen
The Third Man in the German classroom
Traveling in new directions: teaching non-linear picture books
Victorian literature overview
Wikinews: welcome
William Wordsworth: an overview
The William Wordsworth page
Women in the literary marketplace, 1800-1900
Wordplay
Writer's handbook: the Writing Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Writing clearly and simply
Writing effectively and powerfully
YMDI
YRCA sample book ideas - We all fall down
Absolute
Shakepeare 
An
extensive site, this resource has information on the life and works
of Shakespeare. It is print dominant with plenty of information, and
includes the complete Plays and Poems,
an annotated Timeline, Quotes in text order,
a history of the Globe Theatre, links to Films,
trivia, study guides, and Pictures. The latter is an interesting
collection of paintings of performances, with the text that inspired the work.
Summaries, character analyses, and commentaries on the plays are useful, particularly
for students who may be struggling with Elizabethan language. The e-texts are
invaluable for finding elusive quotations, and older students and teachers may
find this method of text searching to be a time saving tool. Ideal to introduce
an English Stage 4 research task, the site has clearly presented information
that is easy to understand, and a friendly tone and appearance. H. Cobban
USER LEVEL: Stage
4 Stage 5 Stage 6 Professional
KLA: English
SYLLABUS: English 7–10; English Stage 6
SCIS SUBJECTS: English drama; English
poetry; Shakespeare, William
PUBLISHER: AbsoluteShakespeare.com
REVIEW DATE: 26/05/06 [822.3] SCIS
1251511
A guide to writing well: compiled by Joshua Sowin
A compilation of writing tips, written by a web designer, makes this a general help site with some useful strategies for writing effectively. Students could most productively browse General principles and Usage principles. Information here will improveany writer's ability to select and use the most effective words for good communication. Laid out under a list of headings, using numbered points and in a friendly voice, the material will assist with the teaching and learning of factual and creative process writing. The author's tips are integrated with quotation examples from two of the world's best writing manuals, Strunk and White's The elements of style, and William Zinsser's On writing well. The site pays special attention to writing introductions and conclusions, and to the art of redrafting. Suitable to support the L4L laptop project, this resource will be helpful in a connected environment. C. Thomas
USER LEVEL: Stage 5 Stage 6 Professional
KLA: English 7-10; English Stage 6
SCIS SUBJECTS: Writing (Authorship)
PUBLISHER: J. Sowin, USA
REVIEW DATE: 24/04/09 [808] SCIS 1407568
A
journey through Asia
In
1992, Jason James travelled for four months by train,
bus, car, and boat, through Asia. This site is his
well written, edited dairy, in which he records
descriptions and impressions of people and places, and
cultural notes about differences. Illustrating the
present tense text are sidebar photographs which add
meaning and colour to the journey. James’ style
is readable and informal, and this informative record
of his journey would be useful for English students
seeking support material for the Area of Study: The journey. The
Introduction is well worth reading as
it is explicit on change in the traveller’s
perceptions. Teachers should be aware of some neutral
observations about adult behaviours in Japan and
Bangkok. C. Thomas
USER LEVEL: Stage 6
KLA: English
SYLLABUS: English Stage 6
SCIS SUBJECTS: Asia; Diaries; Voyages
and travels
PUBLISHER: Jason Thomas James, USA
REVIEW DATE: 16/03/05 [950] SCIS
1187569
AbleStable : serving the
creative community
A community resource for creative arts,
this web site is a very useful source of ideas and
information for art, computing, and business students. In
Articles, topics explain artists’
work in such areas as Business,
Web design, and using the
Internet. What’s
new relates developments in the creative
community, with a technological focus, and
Tools contains useful artistic,
mathematical, and technological online
tools. The interactive
Exhibitions uses photography and written
text for excellent examples of web site design. Senior
art students and English students will also find
inspiration here. The site contains information for a
variety of syllabuses, and teacher research will assess
the full benefit of what is on offer. This will be time
well spent. N. French
USER LEVEL: Stage 5 Stage 6 Professional
KLA: CA; English; HSIE; TAS
SYLLABUS: Business Studies Stage 6;
Design & Technology Stage 6; English Stage 6:
Extension 2; Software Design & Development
Stage 6; Technology (Mandatory) 7–8;Visual Arts
7–10; Visual Arts Stage 6
SCIS SUBJECTS: Arts
PUBLISHER: AbleStable, UK
REVIEW DATE: 10/6/2004 [700] SCIS
1183523
Aborigine
News
Part of the World
News network, this site collects news stories
about Indigenous Australia. The news stories on the
front page are current, but there is also an extensive
archive. The featured headlines are linked to the
source newspaper running that particular story, along
with the full text article. The site is helpful for
investigating current affairs relevant to Aboriginal
people and issues. The majority of external links to
other sites, featured on the left hand bar, are good;
though there is a concern about the authenticity and
copyright of one link, Encyclopaedia of Aboriginal
culture. Aborigine News is a useful site
for both Aboriginal Studies and legal studies. The
volume of information available, means users need to
be focussed in their information search strategies. C.
Dorbis
USER LEVEL: Stage 4 Stage 5 Stage 6
Professional
KLA: English; HSIE
SYLLABUS: Aboriginal Studies 7-10;
Aboriginal Studies Stage 6; English Stage 6:
Standard; Advanced; ESL;
History Stages 4-5; Legal Studies Stage 6
SCIS SUBJECTS: Aboriginal peoples;
Australia – History – 1991-
KEYWORDS: Aborigine; news
PUBLISHER: World News, USA?
REVIEW DATE: 8/8/03
All movie
guide
An excellent
resource for assessing individual films, this site
works best with a Search by title,
person, or keyword. Some of the other search options
failed dismally at the time of review. Most film
entries have a synopsis, review, and biographical
information on cast and crew, offering a range of data
that is difficult to find elsewhere. Every film on the
English HSC text list is here. The extensive
Glossary has nineteen sections, and
Quick browse allows a film search by
theme and country. Essays is a large
collection of analytical and historical pieces, useful
for teachers of film and Stage 6 students
contemplating a film related Major work.
Films represented here also include documentaries,
television series, and concert performances. C. Thomas
USER LEVEL: Stage 6 Professional
KLA: English
SYLLABUS: English 7–10; English
Stage 6
SCIS SUBJECTS: Films – History and criticism
PUBLISHER: AMG , USA
REVIEW DATE: 16/03/05 [791.43] SCIS
1187309
Anime News Network
A site for anime enthusiasts, this comprehensive resource caters for knowledgeable fans, especially in the News and Views content. These sections will suit students creating or analysing anime for HSC projects. The site has information about film festivals and anime products, plus reviews and comment about anime. The most useful section for non experts, the Encyclopedia, will help teachers choose appropriate films for school use. Users will find a helpful Lexicon here, and a huge number of anime and manga texts listed, many with a plot summary, useful age rating and production data. Most of these texts are cross referenced to other websites, news items, and reviews. In the Forum, site users can discuss anime related events in Australia. C. Thomas
USER LEVEL: Stage 6 Professional
KLA: CA; English
SYLLABUS: English 7–10; English Stage 6: Extension 2; Visual Arts 7–10; Visual Arts Stage 6
SCIS SUBJECTS: Anime; Graphic novels; Manga
PUBLISHER: Anime News Network, Australia
REVIEW DATE: 04/04/08 [791.43] SCIS 1340649
A place to think
The history of Australian documentaries from WWII to the present is the focus of this invaluable site. Watch – moving history presents a pictorial menu arranged in decades. Each decade contains an Overview that provides a context for specific documentaries. Selecting an image then allows access to numerous documentaries and storyboards. Radio National interviews relating to the featured documentaries are contained in Listen. Such a feature is useful in building background knowledge before viewing the documentaries. From Interact – street art, the user can listen to Interviews with artists and curators as well as viewing a Photo gallery of street art from Sydney and Melbourne. With its wealth of material, teachers would need to explore the site before classroom use to ensure that students do not deviate from the intended learning experience. Navigation of the site can be tricky for the novice. H. Gardiner
USER LEVEL: Stage 5 Stage 6 Professional
KLA: English; HSIE
SYLLABUS: English 7–10; English Stage 6; History 7–10; Modern History Stage 6
SCIS SUBJECTS: Art, Australian; Films, Australian; Documentary films; Street art
PUBLISHER: Australian Broadcasting Corporation
REVIEW DATE: 04/04/08 [791.43] SCIS 1353589
Artmedia Publishing: contemporary Australian and New Zealand literary & performing arts
Building a knowledgeable arts community with information on classes, artists, writers and e-books, this loaded site is a dynamic and informative hub for performance artists. Drama teachers may find the information on scripts useful, with references to contemporary Australian physical performance scripts. Dance film, in Physical TV, contains interesting visual material and may be of interest to students of Dance who are pursuing a study of technology and dance. With the site’s focus on live events, it is worth a visit for teachers interested in classes, contemporary ideas, and current practice. For senior students, the site’s material offers access to the latest happenings in local literary and performing arts. R. Kirsten
USER LEVEL: Stage 6 Professional
KLA: CA; English
SYLLABUS: Drama Stage 6; English Stage 6
SCIS SUBJECTS: Australian literature – History and criticism; New Zealand literature – History and criticism; Performing arts – Australia; Performing arts – New Zealand
PUBLISHER: Artmedia Publishing, Australia
REVIEW DATE: 18/12/06 [791] SCIS 1289971
A. S. Byatt's
Possession (Page for A. S. Byatt's
Possession)
Students of the Extension English elective,
Postmodernism, should find value in this site.
It offers a detailed Biography of A. S.
Byatt, the award winning British writer, who has been
referred to as a postmodern Victorian. Bibliographic
lists of her works and secondary sources are also
available from this site. Of particular interest is a
comprehensive, alphabetical list of
Annotations to intertextual references
in her Booker Prize winning novel set for study. Some
lengthy Essays on the writer and her
work provide additional support material. Clearly
presented, in an academic manner, this site has appeal
for teachers and students. C. Sly
USER LEVEL: Stage 6
KLA: English
SYLLABUS: English Stage 6:
Extension
SCIS SUBJECTS: Byatt, A. S. Possession;
English fiction – History and criticism
KEYWORDS: Byatt; postmodernism
PUBLISHER: San Jose State University,
USA
REVIEW DATE: 13/11/03 [823] SCIS
1092284
Australian screen
From The story of the Kelly gang (1906)to Kenny (2006), this site is a growing and dynamic collection of Australia’s film and television heritage. Containing over 1600 clips from media such as short films, feature films, newsreels, and advertisements, the site organises material by genre. An Indigenous page lists films with Aboriginal content. In Education there are many clips with teachers’ notes usefully categorised by topics such as values, and sport and health. Other content includes some valuable teaching resources. The site is a fine resource for film studies as the clips have curators’ notes and are cross referenced to similar resources. For a contemporary film such as Ten canoes, analytical clips from television movie shows, where the film is discussed and critiqued, support study of the film. Designed for international promotion and educational purposes, the site is a strong resource for schools. C. Thomas
USER LEVEL: Stage 5 Stage 6 Professional
KLA: CA;English; HSIE
SYLLABUS: Aboriginal Studies 7–10; Aboriginal Studies Stage 6;English 7–10; English Stage 6; History 7–10; Modern History Stage 6; Photography, Video & Digital Editing CEC Stage 6
SCIS SUBJECTS: Film industry – Australia; Films, Australian; Television - Australia
PUBLISHER: Australian Film Commission
REVIEW DATE: 17/12/07 [791.430994] SCIS 1328716
Bell
Shakespeare
Designed to promote a love of Shakespeare, this excellent resource includes
descriptions of modernised performances and plenty of visual material.
In Resources,
teachers can find a short Synposis of selected plays, a Photo
gallery, useful director’s input in Programme notes, and Reviews.
The website is well laid out with valuable evaluative information and visual
imagery to help students interpret the plays. The site will usefully support
Drama syllabuses due to its emphasis on performance. A highlight of the site
is an entertaining presentation of student work in visually interpreting a Shakespearean
phrase. Performances in 2006 include The tempest, Romeo and Juliet,
and The merchant of Venice. Educational resources for these
and other plays were not online at time of review. F. Campbell
USER LEVEL: Stage
4 Stage 5 Stage 6 Professional
KLA: CA; English
SYLLABUS: Drama 7–10; Drama Stage 6; English
7–10; English Stage 6
SCIS SUBJECTS: English drama – Study
and teaching; Shakespeare, William – Merchant of Venice; Shakespeare, William – Romeo
and Juliet; Shakespeare, William – Tempest; Theatre – Australia
PUBLISHER: Bell
Shakespeare Company, Australia
REVIEW DATE: 26/05/06 [822.3] SCIS
1251527
Blade runner: Tee-vee or not
tee-vee
A segment of a
larger site entitled 2019: Off
world, this page presents a detailed
essay on a perplexing film text. Focussing
particularly on the impact of audiovisual media on
modern and future societies, it presents a fascinating
commentary. It concisely critiques the film in the
light of the beliefs of a number of post modern
theorists including Baudrillard, Foucault, and
Friedberg, and all quotations cited are linked to
bibliographic notes. While this essay is rather
academic, it raises significant issues that relate to
predominant themes arising in the film. Students
engaged in a study of this text are likely to find the
essay absorbing and thought provoking. C. Sly
USER LEVEL: Stage 6
KLA: English
SYLLABUS: English Stage 6: Advanced
SCIS SUBJECTS: Blade runner;
Motion pictures – Plots, themes, etc.; Motion
pictures – Study and teaching
KEYWORDS: Blade runner; film
PUBLISHER: Jayme Guokas, USA?
REVIEW DATE: 8/8/03
The blurb
A monthly online magazine, this visually appealing site
has news and background information about arts and
entertainment. The focus is national, but the site has
some material regarding world events and Australian arts
on the world stage. Within the categories of:
Box, television;
Flickers, film;
Imprint, books;
Soundscape, music; and
Vis a vis, the visual
arts, students can access articles, interviews, reviews
and previews, all illustrated with engaging photographs.
The site is current, reasonably well written,
informative, and interesting to use. As a research tool
for students, a search request can be used to find
archived material. Searching for Arthur Miller, for
example, leads to six magazine articles on the
playwright’s life, death, and works. C. Thomas
USER LEVEL: Stage 5 Stage 6 Professional
KLA: CA; English
SYLLABUS: Dance Stage 6; Drama
7–10; Drama Stage 6; English Stage 6; Music
7–10; Music 1 Stage 6; Photography, Video, &
Digital Imaging CEC Stage 6
SCIS SUBJECTS: Arts, Australian –
Periodicals; Mass media – Australian –
Periodicals
PUBLISHER: TBM, Australia
REVIEW DATE: 21/08/05 [790.205] SCIS
1213068
Bright lights film journal
There is a good deal of interesting information about films on this site. The list of contents includes Actor profiles, reviews of films, film book reviews, Director profiles, movie stars and reviews of documentaries. Specific film genres, like Film noir, Horror, Music & musicals, and the silent film, can also be located. Film critiques and commentaries are detailed and cover cinematic techniques and effects as well as thematic concerns and characterisation. The website has a companion blog and other links. A list of films with related reviews and stills can be easily accessed and could be useful to English students searching for supplementary material for their HSC study. A number of the films are for adult audiences and teachers would need to preview material to ascertain appropriateness for classroom use. S. Richards
USER LEVEL: Stage 6 Professional
KLA: English
SYLLABUS: English Stage 6
SCIS SUBJECTS: Films - Periodicals
PUBLISHER: G. Morris & G. Battle, USA
REVIEW DATE: 02/09/08 [791.4305] SCIS 1375694
Bringing them
home: learning about the National Inquiry into the
Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Children from Their Families
Updated and improved, this large site has much material that is well organised and categorised for student researchers. All the important documents and reports can be found here, including the Indigenous health campaign and Social justice reports, which show means to address disadvantage. International indigenous rights will be useful for this aspect of study within Aboriginal Studies syllabuses. In Publications, a solid collection of educational resources includes the Us Taken-Away Kids magazine and the Bringing them home education module 2007, with personal stories and excellent notes on Jane Harris’ play Stolen. The Information sheet gives some background to the concept of social justice and it is a very good summary of this topic as it relates to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. Site users should use the side toolbar to keep research focused on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander topics. C. Thomas
USER LEVEL: Stage 5 Stage 6
KLA: English; HSIE
SYLLABUS: Aboriginal Studies 7–10; Aboriginal Studies Stage 6; English Stage 6: Standard; Legal Studies Stage 6
SCIS SUBJECTS: Aboriginal peoples – Civil rights; Aboriginal peoples – History; Aboriginal peoples – Social policy; Children, Aboriginal; Stolen generations
PUBLISHER: Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, Australia
REVIEW DATE: 28/02/08 SCIS 1167946
The
Browning page
For HSC students and teachers, this site offers limited
use. While it presents hypermedia versions of some of
Browning’s poems, only two of these are listed for
the English: Stage 6 syllabus Extension
course elective, The individual and society. The
relevant poems are The bishop orders his tomb at
Saint Praxed’s church and Andrea del
Sarto. Within the texts of each of these poems are
highlighted words that link to examples of Renaissance
art works which may have inspired the writer. While these
visuals are fascinating connections, there is little more
for students who may be hoping for some analysis of the
poems. C. Sly
USER LEVEL: Stage 6
KLA: English
SYLLABUS: English Stage 6:
Extension
SCIS SUBJECTS: English literature
KEYWORDS: Robert Browning; Literature;
Victorian
PUBLISHER: University of Tennessee, USA
AUTHOR: G. Everett
REVIEW DATE: 8/8/03
Celtx: media pre production: film, video, animation. machinima
Celtx provides free software on this site, to plan, write, edit and publish a screenplay from beginning to end. It is a comprehensive program with the ability to track character development, narrative outlines, settings and locations, costumes, and props. Some aspects of the program are more complex than they initially appear, and teachers who have detailed knowledge of the software will get the most use from the site. Learning to use the techniques of the program is facilitated with easy to follow support videos in Feature tour and the inclusion of an extensive example of a film script of The wizard of Oz, complete with scene breakdowns and character profiles, budgeting and calendar. Components provide invaluable structure for developing writers. Features include formats to write scripts for screenplay, theatre or plain text; and storyboards with drop and drag images. H. Cobban
USER LEVEL: Stage 5 Stage 6
KLA: English
SYLLABUS: English 7–10; English Stage 6: Extension 2
SCIS SUBJECTS: Script writing
PUBLISHER: Celtx, Canada
REVIEW DATE: 16/10/07 [808.2] SCIS 1295585
Chasing Crusoe
A university student multimedia project, this interactive site looks at the fictional Robinson Crusoe, the real sailor Alexander Selkirk, and the history of explorers and Privateers around the South American coast. Marooned is an engaging trivia game based on shipwreck history and maritime fiction. The audio narration works well with an entertaining visual presentation, although the site has some navigational quirks. Small print is overcome with a right click of the mouse allowing site users to zoom in. The site is image dominant, with maps, drawings of ships, personalities, and some modern photographs of the real island. The site is an interesting example of a combined English and HSIE study using ICT, effectively modelling a multimedia fact and fiction comparative project. C. Thomas
USER LEVEL: Stage 5 Stage 6
KLA: English; HSIE
SYLLABUS: English 7–10; English Stage 6: Extension 2
SCIS SUBJECTS: Adventure and adventurers; Defoe, Daniel. Robinson Crusoe; Pirates – History; Robinson Crusoe Island (Chile); Sailors – History; Selkirk, Alexander; Voyages and travels
PUBLISHER: University of North Carolina, USA
REVIEW DATE: 16/07/07 [910.4] SCIS1303729
Children and YA author Cynthia Leitich Smith
Practical and very useful, the site has interesting material for teacher librarians and English teachers. Educational techniques, such as Bloom’s multiple intelligences, are directly linked to the author’s books: Indian shoes, Rain is not my Indian name, and Jingle dancer. In Children & YA literature resources, site users can find a large number of author and illustrator interviews, and annotated booklists categorised by theme and genre. Follow the links in What’s here to find writing and reading advice for teachers, a great collection of annotated print resources and website connections. The site is an extensive resource for the teaching and learning of reading and writing. C. Thomas
USER LEVEL: Stage 6 Professional
KLA: English
SYLLABUS: English K–6; English 7–10; English Stage 6: Extension 2
SCIS SUBJECTS: Authors, American; Children’s literature
PUBLISHER: C.L. Smith, USA
REVIEW DATE: 04/04/08 [813] SCIS 1340674
The
works of Hans Christian
Andersen
An extensive and
interesting site, this excellent resource offers
translated fairy tales, stories, other writings, and
information about the author. Teachers can locate
biographical information in Life, and
English translations in Jean Hersholt’s
the complete Andersen. Detailed and
evocative, Oskar Klever
watercolours are beautifully
depicted, as are young students’ illustrations
in the Illustrations gallery, which
is found in Miscellaneous. The site
gives great access to Andersen’s
Works, and can be used simply to read
the fairy tales, or for a more academic study of both
the tales and the adult stories of Andersen. In
Research, some of the conference
papers will aid an understanding of teaching the
texts, while others could assist Stage 6 English
students preparing a Major Work in this area.
C. Thomas
USER
LEVEL:
Stage2 Stage 3 Stage 4 Stage 6 Professional
KLA: English
SYLLABUS: English K–6;
English 7–10; English Stage 6: Extension 2
SCIS
SUBJECTS: Andersen, Hans
Christian; Danish fiction – Biography; Danish
literature – History and criticism
PUBLISHER:
Hans Christian Andersen Center, Denmark
REVIEW
DATE:
25/05/05
[839.8]
SCIS 1208774
Cinematic terms: a film-making glossary
Extensive and interesting, the site is a terrific collection of cross referenced entries about film language and film making terms. Laid out in three broad columns, the site has the term, a detailed and readable explanation, and excellent visual and written examples of the term. This latter feature is a fine visual resource for students, and it demonstrates such things as the effect of high and low angle shots in a way that words alone struggle to do. Examples will also extend students' knowledge about film and popular culture. The site supports the L4L laptop project and use within a connected environment. The terms that students are most likely to encounter and use accurately are given, for example: cinematography, shots, framing, and angles. Having a visual example of these terms makes the site one of the best online film glossaries available to students. C. Thomas
USER LEVEL: Stage 4 Stage 5 Stage 6
KLA: CA; English
SYLLABUS: English 7-10; English Stage 6; Photographic & Digital Media 7-10
SCIS SUBJECTS: Film making; Films - Terminology
PUBLISHER: American Movie Classics, USA
REVIEW DATE: 30/04/09 [791.4301] SCIS 1409485
Clueless and Jane Austen's
Emma
A segment of a more extensive site on Jane Austen and her
work, this link contains content directly relevant to the
English: Stage 6 syllabus, Module A, Elective 1:
Transformations. This site focuses on the
contemporary film and presents a bulleted list of
Parallels with Jane Austen's
Emma. It includes A
student's paper on Emma - Clueless
parallels, written by an undergraduate English
student. A well conceived, informative essay, it would be
of interest to HSC students studying this option. Further
links provide a good deal of information on Austen, but
require more exploration time to appraise their specific
relevance. C. Sly
USER LEVEL: Stage 6
KLA: English
SYLLABUS: English Stage 6:
Advanced
SCIS SUBJECTS: Austen, Jane. Emma;
Clueless (Motion picture); Motion pictures, American
– History and criticism
KEYWORDS: Austen; Clueless; Emma
PUBLISHER: Republic of Pemberley, USA
REVIEW DATE: 13/11/03 [791.43] SCIS
1092245
The collected works of
Shakespeare
This very interesting site gives access to the works of
Shakespeare in plain text and searchable HTML formats.
All plays prescribed for the English: Stage 6
syllabus are available. This provides excellent,
ready support for research, particularly when students
have an obscure Shakespearean reference or allusion to
investigate or place in context. The coordinator of the
site has only given the HTML files cursory examination,
so care would need to be taken before quoting. Navigation
is simple and search instructions provided are
comprehensive and useful. W. Bowie
USER LEVEL: Stage 6 Professional
KLA: English
SYLLABUS: English Stage 6:
Standard; Advanced; Extension
SCIS SUBJECTS: Shakespeare, William
KEYWORDS: Shakespeare
PUBLISHER: J M Farrow, Australia
REVIEW DATE: 8/8/03
Comic
book
An encyclopaedic site,
this resource defines, examines, and critiques comics.
It is especially useful for teachers researching the
history and societal context of comic books.
Comics will take site users on an
intriguing genre journey, with links such as
Sequential art, Science
fiction, and Romance,
leading to large amounts of interesting information.
Assisting the ongoing debate about the definition and
educational use of Graphic novels,
the site lists suitable library titles, and provides
information about their history and their validity as
texts. Most of the site is student appropriate,
although so intriguing that the attention is easily
distracted. Teachers should be aware of a small number
of links to adult content. C. Thomas
USER LEVEL: Stage 6 Professional
KLA: CA; English
SYLLABUS: English 7–10; English
Stage 6: Extension 2; Visual Arts 7–10;
Visual Arts Stage 6
SCIS SUBJECTS: Comics –
Bibliography; Comics – Reviews
PUBLISHER: Wikimedia, USA
REVIEW DATE: 10/09/04 [016] SCIS 1186307
Communications Law Centre
An independent organisation specialising in promoting public debate of media and communications law, the CLC aims to present contemporary issues on its website. The simple layout and use of headings will help students find material. There is plenty to find; the site has extensive lists of online legislation and resources related to such topics as Free speech & defamation. One article here is a submission to the Attorney General concerning proposals for a national defamation law. In Broadcasting, another article covers commercial radio standards and case law. For Legal Studies students, the site is a treasury of links, and it demonstrates how lobby groups try to influence law makers. For English students who are investigating the media’s role and influence in society, the site offers some useful analysis and commentary on the behaviour of media operators. P. Sheppard
USER LEVEL: Stage 6 Professional
KLA: English; HSIE
SYLLABUS: English Stage 6: Extension 2; Legal Studies Stage 6
SCIS SUBJECTS: Law – Australia; Lobbying – Australia; Mass media – Law and legislation; Telecommunications – Law and legislation
PUBLISHER: Communications Law Centre, Australia
REVIEW DATE: 10/09/07 [343.94] SCIS 1316612
Contemporary postcolonial and postimperial literature in English
Looking at the colonies of the British Empire and the social, historical and political influences on authors currently writing in these countries, the site is a comprehensive collection of material for English and History teachers. For English teachers, entering authors’ names into the Search tool is an efficient way to access site information. This reveals analytical material specifically useful for English Stage 6 syllabuses dealing with Keri Hulme’s The bone people, A.S. Byatt’s Possession, and David Malouf’s An imaginary life. Postcolonial theory is a detailed set of ideas which has limited application in English classrooms, but for English Stage 6: Extension 2 and professional development, this is an exceptional resource. History teachers investigating the site by country, including Australia, may find the articles and opinions in History, Political context and Religion, useful for supplementary material, as the site strongly emphasises literature in historical context. C. Thomas
USER LEVEL: Stage 6 Professional
KLA: English; HSIE
SYLLABUS: English Stage 6: Advanced; Extension 1; Extension 2; HSC History Stage 6: Extension
SCIS SUBJECTS: English literature – History and criticism; History in literature; Imperialism in literature; Political science in literature
PUBLISHER: G. P. Landow, USA
REVIEW DATE: 30/04/07 [820.9] SCIS 1296779
Converse: the literature website
An innovative resource for students aged 11–19, this site is
well worth a look by teachers. Three age sections, roughly similar
to NSW, cover poetry, Chaucer, the English language, Shakespeare, and
the First World War. There is specific material on Owen’s Dulce
et Decorum for the English Stage 6: Standard course. The war illustrated,
facsimiles of an English pictorial magazine, is a valuable primary
source for students of Modern History. Senior English students can
interactively explore the historical context of a poem, and the ideas
about practical criticism could help teachers introduce critical theory
to Year 10 or 11. The History of the English language and some of the
Shakespeare material is excellent for younger students. In Teachers there are some creative ideas, for example on visual literacy, found
in the handbook. H. Cobban & E. Searle
USER LEVEL: Stage 5 Stage 6 Professional
KLA: English; HSIE
SYLLABUS: English K–6; English 7–10; English Stage 6: Standard;
Modern History Stage 6
SCIS SUBJECTS: English literature – History and criticism; World
War, 1914-1918 in literature
PUBLISHER: Cambridge University, UK
REVIEW DATE: 01/03/06 [820.9] SCIS 1236209
Critical lenses: literary criticism
This
terrific American site has a huge number of links to sites about literary
theory and criticism. Arranged in a linear collection of headings, the site’s
simple layout aids investigation of its intriguing and complex material. The
site looks at the major theories, including structuralism, postmodernism, New
Criticism, and reader-response criticism, as well as a wide range of literary
areas such as multicultural/world literature, young adult literature, and genre
studies. The site has WebQuests which apply critical perspectives to Frankenstein, Heart
of darkness, and The last moments of Lady Macbeth. Some WebQuests involve
historical topics, such as Effects of the industrial revolution. Teachers investigating
this site will come up with some fabulous material and ideas for classroom work
on literary criticism. It will be especially useful to teachers and students
of the English Stage 6: Extension 1 Module: Texts and ways of thinking,
the English Stage 6: Advanced Module: Critical study of texts,
as well as the English HSC Preliminary course. H. Cobban
USER LEVEL: Stage
6 Professional
KLA: English; HSIE
SYLLABUS: English Stage 6: Advanced;English Stage 6: Extension
1; Modern History Stage 6
SCIS SUBJECTS: Criticism
PUBLISHER: www.teachingliterature.org ,
USA
REVIEW DATE: 01/11/06 [801] SCIS 1272032
Cyberpoetry
A very dynamic site, this introduces the work of a
contemporary Australian performance poet, Komninos
Zervos. His computer generated, moving and sound enhanced
cyberpoetry displays an exciting dimension to the new
uses of information and communications technology.
Animated icons on the homepage direct the user to
the work, the poet and
links, which develop an appreciation of
the style of this new wave poet. Teachers should allow
time to check the syllabus relevance of these linked
sites. From the teaching pages, NSW HSC
gives biographical details of Komninos Zervos and brief
information about his poetry. While not directly on the
poems set for HSC study, this site is still worth a visit
to experience a new genre and this progressive poet. C.
Sly
USER LEVEL: Stage 6
KLA: English
SYLLABUS: English Stage 6:
Standard
SCIS SUBJECTS: Australian poetry;
Australian poetry – History and criticism; Komninos
KEYWORDS: Cyberpoetry; Zervos
PUBLISHER: Griffith University,
Queensland
REVIEW DATE: 13/11/03 [A821] SCIS
1092278
Discovering Dickens: a community reading project
The website provides a wonderful opportunity to experience three Charles Dickens novels - A tale of two cities, Hard times and Great expectations - as they were originally printed and illustrated, in the form ofserial publications. The site includes a short biography of Dickens and background information, notes on the chapters covered, a key to allusions and definitions of unusual words and expressions. There is information about the historical and economic context including Dickens' social concerns, and prevailing attitudes in Victorian society. The site provides in-depth information to facilitate the reading and understanding of these novels in their social and historical context. The site's treatment of Great expectations is especially useful for the new English Stage 6 Area of Study: Belonging. S. Richards
USER LEVEL: Stage 5 Stage 6 Professional
KLA: English
SYLLABUS: English 7-10; English Stage 6
SCIS SUBJECTS: English fiction - History and criticism; Family relations - Fiction; Great Britain - Social life and customs - 19th century - Fiction
PUBLISHER: Stanford University, USA
REVIEW DATE: 02/09/08 [823] SCIS 1374047
Eastgate
With the advent of new technologies, the nature of texts is changing dramatically. This useful site provides a forum for hypertext writers as well as a place to purchase software. Subscriptions for TEKKA magazine are available and the free demonstrations of Storyspace and Tinderbox, a personal content manager, will pique interest. These online tools provide hypertext graphic structures and a means of organising notes, ideas and plans. Tools for information farming and Hypertext resources provide useful material for students. English Stage 6 students may find this easily navigable site to be a valuable springboard for their own processes of composing imaginative texts. H. Gardiner
USER LEVEL: Stage 6 Professional
KLA: English; TAS
SYLLABUS: English Stage 6: Extension 2; Information Processes & Technology Stage 6
SCIS SUBJECTS: Computers in education; Databases; Interactive media; Literature; Writing (Authorship)
PUBLISHER: Eastgate Systems, USA
REVIEW DATE: 16/07/07 [005.75] SCIS 1304133
Edward
R. Murrow: broadcasting history
An
exciting resource for the study of American history or journalism,
this site explains and illustrates the impact of one of the most vibrant
media personalities of the 20th century. Biographical information and
recordings strongly support the Modern History Options: USA 1919-1941 and William
Randolph Hearst 1863-1951, and to a lesser extent, Conflict
in Europe 1935-1945.
Audio reports from the heart of the conflict in WW11 Europe are very interesting,
but Murrow’s articulate denouncement of Senator McCarthy is an outstanding
piece of television history, now available online. Modern History students will
gain a fine appreciation of anti-communism and anti-unionism through the site’s
material, including some contemporary analysis of Murrow’s work. Related
stories and links offer solid avenues for History students to pursue research.
For English Stage 6: Extension 2 students, the site could inspire a Major
work on a related topic, such as history and journalism. C. Thomas
USER LEVEL: Stage
6 Professional
KLA: English; HSIE
SYLLABUS: English Stage 6: Extension 2;
Modern History Stage 6
SCIS SUBJECTS: Journalists – Biography;
Murrow, Edward R.; Radio journalism – History
PUBLISHER: National
Public Radio, USA
REVIEW DATE: 26/05/06 [070.92] SCIS
1242053
English theatre
The site’s purpose is to create a greater understanding of how a play goes from page to stage. Despite the obvious focus on the Canadian experience, it should prove useful for Australian educators. There are some interesting Activities, including script creation, characters and conflict, and some useful materials on Shakespearean verse. Infozone has a handy glossary. Also available are study guides on recent NAC English Theatre productions, such as Hamlet and other plays of international interest. One particularly interesting feature is the video interviews with theatre professionals accessed via Playwright’s corner, Director’s table, Actor’s green room or Design and production for the desired focus. P. Gilchrist
USER LEVEL: Stage 5 Stage 6
KLA: CA; English
SYLLABUS: Drama 7–10; Drama Stage 6, English 7–10; English Stage 6
SCIS SUBJECTS: Theatre – Production and direction
PUBLISHER: National Arts Centre, Canada
REVIEW DATE: 04/04/08 [792.02] SCIS 1348227
Euripides and his tragedies
Dedicated to a significant ancient Greek tragedian, this
site contains detailed biographical information on
Euripides' career and art. Of particular interest to
Stage 6 English students engaging in the Extension 1
course option, Revenge tragedy, is
Medea which provides a summary and
analysis of the play. The age of
Euripides offers valuable information on the
political and religious context in which the play was
composed, and Peculiarities of Euripidean
drama captures the essence of this particular
style of early Western drama. Biographical material and a
range of further links make this a worthwhile online
resource for students and teachers. C. Sly
USER LEVEL: Stage 6
KLA: English; CA
SYLLABUS: English Stage 6: Extension
; Drama Stage 6
SCIS SUBJECTS: Euripides –
Criticism, interpretation, etc.; Greek drama –
History and criticism
PUBLISHER: TheatreHistory.com, USA
REVIEW DATE: 13/11/03 [882] SCIS 1101891
Film
Australia
The site
provides a strong and structured resource for teachers
wishing to access a comprehensive audio visual record
of Australian life. A myriad of films, fiction and non
fiction, are listed, with varying degrees of analysis.
Film Australia library offers a
variety of methods to access and pay for the material.
Online Teaching notes offer quality
resources for selected films. These include the large
number of Film Australian biographies, and such
resources as the Bush mechanics review:
teaching with an Aboriginal perspective. The
notes are syllabus related, content reflective, and
provide apt questions pertinent to students.
Resources provides an accessible
preview of the television production Twentyfour
seven. K. Ashley
USER LEVEL: Stage 5 Stage 6
KLA: CA; English; HSIE
SYLLABUS: English 7–10; English
Stage 6
SCIS SUBJECTS: Film making; Films
PUBLISHER: Film Australia
REVIEW DATE: 11/11/04 [791.430994] SCIS
1114224
Film,
radio and TV. – 13, Film script
terminology
For teachers
seeking an accessible list of definitions used in the
construction and deconstruction of film scripts, this
site provides definitions and examples of terms in
sequential modules. Examples include terms used for
transitions, shots, and angles. Large photographs and
illustrations support the written text. Links to
Actual film scripts and script
writing software are given. The site is text
dominated, but information is well written and
presented in a clear layout. The site is very easy to
understand, and will be useful for all Stage 6 English
students. H. Cobban
USER LEVEL: Stage 5 Stage 6 Professional
KLA: English
SYLLABUS: English 7–10; English
Stage 6
SCIS SUBJECTS: Film scripts –
Terminology
PUBLISHER: CyberCollege, USA
REVIEW DATE: 16/03/05 [808.2] SCIS
1179981
Film studies at the
ANU
Designed as an outline
of courses for prospective film studies students at
the University, this comprehensive site has a good
deal more on offer. The detailed section, How
to read a film sequence, includes a focus on
such aspects as: Narrative;
Mise en scene;
Cinematography;
Editing; and Sound.
It provides a valuable introduction to film for senior
school students. Links to cinema
sites provides links an extensive list of
renowned film directors such as Orson Wells, Alfred
Hitchcock, Akira Kurosawa, Jane Campion, Quentin
Tarantino, and Peter Weir. This site is definitely
worth visiting, and exploring for additional relevant
information. C. Sly
USER LEVEL: Stage 6 Professional
KLA: English
SYLLABUS: English Stage 6:
Standard;Advanced; ESL;
Extension 1
SCIS SUBJECTS: Motion pictures –
Study and teaching
KEYWORDS: ANU; film studies
PUBLISHER: Department of Modern European
Languages, Australian National University
AUTHOR: Alex Castro
REVIEW DATE: 8/8/03
Folger Shakespeare Library: a lively place for learning
and the arts
A world class
research centre on Shakespeare and his historical context, the Folger
Library is a brilliant collection of Shakespeare’s life and work,
and contemporary issues in teaching and learning about Shakespeare. In addition
to the thorough biographical and contextual material, site users can research
primary source texts and images. For example, for English Stage 6 there is an
illustration of the front page of an early map, relevant to The tempest.
Issues of race and culture are discussed in the lesson plans and study guides.
The academic sections of the site are an invaluable mine of information and ideas,
and the site has much practical material for online and offline activities in
English K–6 in Shakespeare for kids. H. Cobban
USER LEVEL: Stage
3 Stage 4 Stage 5 Stage 6 Professional
KLA: English
SYLLABUS: English K–6; English 7–10;
English Stage 6
SCIS SUBJECTS: English drama; English
poetry; Shakespeare, William
PUBLISHER: Folger
Shakespeare Library, USA
REVIEW DATE: 26/05/06 [026.82233] SCIS
1251449
GettyImages
A photographic library with multiple uses for schools, this site gathers images from sources such as Dorling Kindersley, and groups them under Creative, Editorial, and Film headings. Material is well organised, but time is needed to become familiar with how the site operates. Its sheer size compromises the efficiency and speed of research. By exploring the detailed search facility, students and teachers could turn up some gems in still and video images. The ability to search by concept will be useful. The site has some interesting images, for example, photographs of the new Globe Theatre in London and a 17th century drawing of the original. Some images are usefully annotated. See Rights managed and Royalty free for quick access to the collections. C. Thomas
USER LEVEL: Stage 5 Stage 6 Professional
KLA: CA; English
SYLLABUS: English 7–10; English Stage 6; Photographic & Digital Media 7–10; Photography, Video & Digital Imaging CEC Stage 6; Visual Arts 7–10
SCIS SUBJECTS: Computer graphics; Photographs – Collections; Pictures
PUBLISHER: Getty Images, USA
REVIEW DATE: 16/07/07 [779] SCIS 1318117
Glossary of poetic terms from Bob's byway: a unique guide for the study of poetry
The site is a simply presented A-Z list of poetic terms, which students may find useful for understanding and appreciating poetry. The list is long, with many obscure words, but definitions are fairly short and succinct. There is extensive cross referencing of terms, which is helpful for students. Short examples are incorporated with the entry, and longer examples, such as whole poems, are hyperlinked to take users elsewhere within the site. Examples are clear if they are studied rather than simply scanned. Material does not include poets, but it does explain schools and movements. For each definition, the author develops an angle related to the term, such as the difference between a metaphor and a simile. Students may appreciate these notes as they explain beyond the definition. Suitable to support the L4L laptop project, this resource will be helpful in a connected environment. C. Thomas
USER LEVEL: Stage 5 Stage 6 Professional
KLA: English
SYLLABUS: English 7-10; English Stage 6
SCIS SUBJECTS: Poetry - Dictionaries
PUBLISHER: R. G. Shubinski, USA
REVIEW DATE: 24/04/09 [808.103] SCIS 1407609
Guardian Unlimited: children: once upon a time
A vibrant and extensive source of information on contemporary books and literary ideas, this site has plenty of excellent material for teachers and English students. Material includes articles and reviews on children’s and young adult novels, and multiple Podcasts with authors such as Eoin Colfer and Michael Morpurgo. Poetry workshop, with solid information and serious composition ideas from many poets, is a fine tool for senior students. A strong feature of the site is Authors. Thissection is packed with profiles, each with a terrific link to Useful sites and writings online. Patience with the site is required as the layout is relatively busy, but there is plenty of information to be found. J. Webber & C. Thomas
USER LEVEL: Stage 3Stage 5 Stage 6Professional
KLA: English
SYLLABUS: English K–6; English 7–10; English Stage 6
SCIS SUBJECTS: Children’s literature – Reviews
PUBLISHER: Guardian, UK
REVIEW DATE: 16/07/07 [809.3] SCIS 1306204
Guide to grammar and style
Using a personal, friendly tone and a mix of colloquialisms and linguistic terminology, the site is pitched at older readers seeking advice on writing and grammar, and strategies for writing effectively. The author's stand is to describe things that work, as opposed to grammatical prescriptives of right and wrong ways of writing. The site lists words, terms, usage problems and grammatical terms in an A-Z list. For example, whether to use a or an, that or which, and it explains the use of commas, plurals, and quotation marks. Some entries are excellent descriptors for high school students, and some are not. Students would best use the site by looking up a specific problem that they encounter in writing. The site will only suit students who aspire to write well. C. Thomas
USER LEVEL: Stage 5 Stage 6 Professional
KLA: English
SYLLABUS: English 7-10; English Stage 6
SCIS SUBJECTS: English language - grammar; English language - Style; English language - Usage; Writing (Authorship)
PUBLISHER: Rutgers, USA
REVIEW DATE: 24/04/09 [828.2] SCIS 1407574
Guide to writing a basic essay
Beautifully laid out for novice essay writers, the site has numbered and precise points that show students how to organise and write above average essays. Some students will love this precision, and all writers will appreciate that the site has some interesting ideas about the writing process. In very clear steps, appropriately worded for a young audience, the site takes students through the processes of drafting an Outline, establishing a Thesis, and writing an Introduction, Body and Conclusion. The site displays a nice touch in Finish, where students are shown how to check their essays for coherence and formatting. In Sample, the principles are helpfully demonstrated in a basic essay. The site suits use within a connected environment and the L4L project, and it is an excellent cross KLA reference for beginning essay writers and senior students who are revising the art of good, purposeful writing. C. Thomas
USER LEVEL: Stage 4 Stage 5 Stage 6 Professional
KLA: English
SYLLABUS: English K-6; English7-10; English Stage 6
SCIS SUBJECTS: Essays; Writing (Authorship)
PUBLISHER: Lycos, USA
REVIEW DATE: 30/04/09 [808.3] SCIS 1291953
Gumshoes, sleuths & snoopers: a crime fiction content
database based on the George Kelley paperback and Pulp
fiction collection
Using readers’ contributions, this highly useful
and visually appealing database offers an intriguing look
at 185 detective and mystery novels written between the
1930s and 1960s. The site is structured around a
comprehensive search facility which includes lists of
settings, times, subjects, characters, and author. It
will be useful for the English Extension 1
Elective: Crime fiction study of The big
sleep and for student investigation of supplementary
texts. Cover artists are included, and the genre’s
sometimes risqué front and back covers are clearly
depicted. The covers are interesting examples for the
Visual Design Modules: Illustration and
cartooning and Publications and
information. Clearly laid out information for the
texts includes an extensive plot summary, an annotated
major character list, discussion of sexuality, gender
roles, and psychological elements. F. Crum
USER LEVEL: Stage 6 Professional
KLA: CA; English
SYLLABUS: English Stage 6: Extension
1; Visual Design Stage 6
SCIS SUBJECTS: Crime stories –
History and criticism; Detectives – Fiction –
History and criticism; Mystery and suspense stories
– History and criticism
PUBLISHER: University at Buffalo, State
University of New York
REVIEW DATE: 21/08/05 [809.3] SCIS
1219640
Hamlet and Macbeth
The Royal Shakespeare Company’s 2004 productions of the tragedies
of Macbeth and Hamlet are vibrantly presented on
this exceptional website. Material focuses on explaining performance
processes, and Staging choices offers performance
footage, interviews, and production ideas. Line delivery and different
historical contexts are explored in Language and themes. In
rehearsal examines the staging of specific scenes, while specific
characters can be examined in Characters and relationships. For
teachers contains many engaging teaching activities. This
dynamic website supports the study of transformations in English, and
it is a terrific resource for Drama teachers and students. H. Gardiner
USER LEVEL: Stage
4 Stage 5 Stage 6 Professional
KLA: CA;English
SYLLABUS: Drama 7–10;English
7–10; English Stage 6: Advanced
SCIS SUBJECTS: English drama – History
and criticism; Royal Shakespeare Company; Shakespeare,
William – Hamlet; Shakespeare, William – Macbeth; Theatre – Production
and design; Wright, Mandie
REVIEW DATE: 26/05/06
[822.3] SCIS
1259149
Hamlet works
Supporting a prescribed text within HSC English, this siteis a useful resource. It provides a close evaluation of the language, content and construction of the play. This site reveals that Hamlet is far from being a stable text as there were a number of early versions which editors have tended to conflate. Each line in the play can be searched for commentary and textual notes made over the centuries by famous critics. There are facsimile versions of Hamlet which can be compared using a split screen. Concordances offers a search to find the appearance of words in different versions of the play. The site is a valuable scholarly resource that allows for historical and comparative analysis of various versions of Hamlet. Students can read different versions of a scene or analyse the impact and symbolic functioning of particular words. There is rich opportunity for classroom discussion about Shakespeare's language and his craft as a playwright. E. Chase
USER LEVEL: Stage 6 Professional
KLA: English
SYLLABUS: English Stage 6: Advanced
SCIS SUBJECTS: Shakespeare, William. Hamlet.
PUBLISHER: Hamletworks.org, USA
REVIEW DATE: 17/12/08 [822.3] SCIS 1381880
Heroes: unit plan [English
online]
Teachers and students undertaking a study of the film
text When we were kings should find this site a
useful starting point. Composed in a simple manner, it
offers a range of possible teaching and learning
activities. Although devised for the New Zealand
education system, it has application to the English:
Stage 6 syllabus Extension course elective,
The language of sport. It presents several
practical suggestions for individual and group tasks.
There is a significant focus on language, and links to
other sites that contain a number of varied reviews on
the film, along a vast range of sites dealing with film
theory. C. Sly
USER LEVEL: Stage 6
KLA: English
SYLLABUS: English Stage 6: Extension
1
SCIS SUBJECTS: English
language – Study and teaching; Motion pictures
– Reviews; Motion pictures – Study and
teaching; When we were kings
KEYWORDS: Heroes; unit; When we were
kings
PUBLISHER: New Zealand Ministry of
Education
AUTHOR: Warwick Downs
REVIEW DATE: 8/8/03
Heywire
Heywire is a forum for non-urban youth, and this site is the short story competition arm of an ABC initiative. Written by young adults who live in regional Australia, these award winning Stories, written for radio, relate to life outside the cities. There are many stories, all with a word count under 400. They are laid out in state groups going back to 1998, and they can be read or listened to online. Access Teacher’s notes to read an analysis of each story; some of which solidly support classroom work. Selected narratives would make excellent supplementary material for the English Stage 6 Area of Study, especially in the ESL course, due to the concise and well-written expression of themes and content. MP3 audio tips for constructing a story, found in How to, are an excellent English resource. Details about the 2007 short story writing competition were not online at time of review. C. Thomas
USER LEVEL: Stage 4 Stage 5 Stage 6
KLA: English
SYLLABUS: English 7–10; English Stage 6: ESL; Standard
SCIS SUBJECTS: Adolescents in Australia; Australian short stories; Country life – Australia; Writing (Authorship) – Problems, exercises, etc.
PUBLISHER: ABC, Australia
REVIEW DATE: 18/12/06 [994.07] SCIS 1101482
Holocaust
encyclopedia
Comprehensive information about the Holocaust is provided
by this site. Entries in Articles
A–Z are an excellent and detailed
collection. They often include historical film and audio
material. The site is large and inclusive of every group
which suffered under the Nazis. For example,
Mosaic of victims, includes the
Roma, Homosexuals,
Jehovah’s Witnesses, and the
Poles. Also here is graphic information
on the Celmno prison, which English
Stage 6 students reading Briar Rose should
investigate. The site provides animated maps of
The Holocaust and World War
Two, and Personal histories
from the Holocaust Memorial Museum. The site has credence
for History students and teachers researching this time,
with exceptional material onsite and a huge number of
annotated links. It has special relevance to National
studies: Germany 1918–1945
and International studies in peace and conflict:
Conflict in Europe1935–1945
in Modern History. E. Searle
USER LEVEL: Stage 6
KLA: English; HSIE
SYLLABUS: English Stage 6; Modern
History Stage 6
SCIS SUBJECTS: Holocaust, Jewish, 1939
– 1945 – Encyclopaedias
PUBLISHER: United States Holocaust
memorial Museum, USA
REVIEW DATE: 21/08/05 [940.53] SCIS
1217329
Internet archive
There is free access to this internet library's collections, and its depth and breadth could keep site users browsing for hours. The site has over one million works in Audio, Moving images, software, Web pages, Texts, and the Live music archive. There is a multitude of school related media, such as sport videos, animations, Groks science show episodes, war propaganda films, youth media, picture books, and plenty of contemporary music. Education contains courses and video lectures. The top search bar allows searching within multiple genres and is a handy feature given that it will take users a while to gain a sense of the site's content and its categorisations. About IA has a lovely rationale for preserving works, especially those from the digital age. C. Thomas
USER LEVEL: Stage 6Professional
KLA: CA;English; Science
SYLLABUS: English 7-10; English Stage 6; Music 7-10; Music Stage 6; Science 7-10
SCIS SUBJECTS: Archives; History; Libraries
PUBLISHER: Internet Archive, USA
REVIEW DATE: 24/04/09 [025.04] SCIS 1218879
Jane
Austen Society of Australia:
study guide: Emma becomes Clueless
While
there is a plethora of material available for the English Stage 6 Elective: Transformations regarding
the texts Emma and Clueless, this is a very useful site for
teachers and students. Basically an essay, the site explains how the 19th century
text has been made relevant to a contemporary audience, discussing the major
issues in a concise and accessible manner. It also looks at the different forms
of film and prose fiction, and gives quotations and references to support each
point made. It is a clear summary of this elective. There are links to the syllabus,
ideas on the concept of transformations and a Clueless overview. The
site is text rich with limited illustrations, but it is an excellent resource
for developing students’ understanding of both texts. There is also some
information on Pride and prejudice, specifically for the English Stage
6 Elective: The individual and society. H. Cobban
USER LEVEL: Stage
6
KLA: English
SYLLABUS: English Stage 6: Advanced; Extension
1
SCIS SUBJECTS: Clueless (Motion picture);
English fiction – History and criticism; Films, American – History
and criticism
PUBLISHER: JASA,
Australia
REVIEW DATE: 26/05/06 [823] SCIS
1251539
Jeannie Baker: artist, author, film maker: welcome to my web site
Baker's very distinctive picture books have been highly acclaimed. Her unique collage pictures integrate various materials, especially from nature, and they complement her primary theme exploring human relationships with the natural world. The site presents biographical information, interview transcripts, and details on the publications. Picture books reveals bibliographic information and a brief synopsis of each book. Belonging, and its companion, Window, are featured and these are valuable additional resources for the English Stage 6 Area of Study: Belonging. Focus offers a more detailed analysis of each of these books. Appealing to a wide age range, these publications are exquisite artistic creations that will challenge and cultivate a reader's skills in visual literacy. C. Sly
USER LEVEL: Stage 4 Stage 5 Stage 6 Professional
KLA: English
SYLLABUS: English K-6; English 7-10; English Stage 6
SCIS SUBJECTS: Illustrators, Australian
PUBLISHER: J. Baker, Australia
REVIEW DATE: 04/04/09 [A823] SCIS 1062500
J-Learning: your how to site for community journalism
A proactive site for the creation of community websites, this resource will help students plan, build, present and promote such a website. It will help individuals and groups with media projects, specifically the design and construction of web technology. Layout is teacher friendly, and junior students would benefit from being directed to certain aspects of the site rather than going than straight to the home page. The explicit subheadings are very useful. A list of topics is clearly displayed in the Site map, thus helping teachers identify aspects of the site that are most relevant to their students. The article on Using a database is one example. Information includes such topics as preparing photographs and images for the website, audio, video, animation and blogs. J. Webber
USER LEVEL: Stage 5 Stage 6 Community Professional
KLA: CA;English; TAS
SYLLABUS: English 7–10; English Stage 6: Extension 2; Information & Software Technology 7–10; Visual Design 7–10
SCIS SUBJECTS: Electronic publishing; Journalism – Computer-assisted instruction
PUBLISHER: Philip Merrill College of Journalism, USA
REVIW DATE: 16/07/07 [070.5028] SCIS 1306128
John Fowles - the web
site
A number of areas of interest relating to the literary
works of the modern British writer, John Fowles, are
available on this site. Of particular interest to HSC
students are the links to a Biography of John
Fowles, and The novels of John
Fowles, which includes a detailed summary of his
successful and popular novel The French
Lieutenant's woman. There are also recommended
books on this author and E-mail listings for
Fowles fans wishing to communicate with others
pursuing studies on specific books. All links are clearly
displayed and readily accessible, providing a useful
springboard for students’ research. C. Sly
USER LEVEL: Stage 6
KLA: English
SYLLABUS: English Stage 6:
Extension
SCIS SUBJECTS: Fowles, John
KEYWORDS: John Fowles, USA
PUBLISHER: Bob Goosmann,
REVIEW DATE: 8/8/03
Jump Cut: a review of contemporary media
For those wishing to explore the representation of class, gender and race in the media, this commendable site is an excellent starting point. Although aimed at those in tertiary education and media professionals, many worthwhile articles can be accessed through the Archive section. A Classic articles online search function allows the user to find papers dating from 1974 to the present. Articles address areas such as film theory and criticism, resistant readings of mainstream media, and effective pedagogy. The Current issue provides access to the latest research in media analysis. Popular film, art house and classic films are examined. A range of media texts from across the world are investigated, including those from Latin America, Eastern Europe and Asia. The simple yet effective interface adds to the ease of navigating the site and enhances its overall appeal. This outstanding site supports the study of film media in English. H. Gardiner
USER LEVEL: Stage 5 Stage 6 Professional
KLA: English
SYLLABUS: English 7-10; English Stage 6
SCIS SUBJECTS: Films - History and criticism
PUBLISHER: Jump Cut, USA
REVIEW DATE: 02/09/08 [791.405] SCIS 1381676
The literary gothic
A fascinating website, this amalgamates major links related to literary Gothicism. It is excellent for its readability, ease of navigation and content. Providing ready access, it has links to a multitude of websites containing resources related to the Gothic genre. It includes definitions, background and the basic characteristics of Gothicism. There is a wealth of other interesting aspects, such as the female Gothic, textual and background information, titles, Gothic novelists, biographical information, reviews, research, discussion of important Gothic concepts and the Gothic tradition in literature. It also includes some graphics and etexts of important and often overlooked early works in this tradition. This valuable resource provides ample opportunity for online research. S. Richards
USER LEVEL: Stage 5 Stage 6 Professional
KLA: English
SYLLABUS: English 7-10; English Stage 6
SCIS SUBJECTS: Gothic fiction
PUBLISHER: Literary Gothic, USA
REVIEW DATE: 02/09/08 [808.83] SCIS 1374053
Locus online: news,
reviews, resources and perspectives of science
fiction, fantasy and
horror
Aficionados
of these genres will enjoy the range and depth of
information available on this site. Information on
films and books can be found in Reviews &
features; publishing awards and literary
events are announced; authors are interviewed; and all
the News in the world of science
fiction is documented in this contemporary resource.
The site is updated frequently. Material is readable
and interesting, and will ably support the teaching of
science fiction, with some research by the site user.
New and Notable new
books for each issue include Australian
fiction and young adult fiction. The latter was a
special feature in the January 2004 issue, and
includes an essay by Garth Nix. The past nine issues
are available from the home page, and this material,
including analysis of the genres, has much to offer
teachers. C. Thomas
USER LEVEL: Stage 6 Professional
KLA: English
SYLLABUS: English 7–10; English
Stage 6
SCIS SUBJECTS: Books – Reviews;
Fantasy; Horror stories; Science fiction
PUBLISHER: Locus , USA
REVIEW DATE: 16/03/05 [028.1] SCIS
1185787
Long journey, young lives: an online documentary
Interactive features will make this rich collection of material on refugee children very appealing to senior students. Choices of Homeland, Conflict, Journey, Detention and On reflection have videos of refugees, aged 9–18 years, discussing their experiences. The site is especially useful for Community and Family Studies, in the IRP section of the course and in lessons on the impact of culture and life experience on decision making and management. The resource is ideal for students with varying learning styles and abilities, as information is provided in video and written format. It suits a self paced learning activity, and contains vibrant, contemporary support material for both the current and future Area of Study in English Stage 6. It would be advisable for teachers to preview the material in the light of their students’ backgrounds and sensitivities. C. Barlow
USER LEVEL: Stage 6
KLA: English;HSIE;PDHPE
SYLLABUS: Community & Family Studies Stage 6; English Stage 6; Society & Culture Stage 6
SCIS SUBJECTS: Australia – Immigration and emigration – Public opinion; Australia – Race relations; Ethnic groups – Children; Immigration detention centres; Refugees
PUBLISHER: Australian Film Commission
REVIEW DATE: 04/04/08 [325.94] SCIS 1343711
Mark Twain in his times
For those seeking in-depth information regarding Mark Twain and his works, this excellent site will prove invaluable. Sample this site provides a quick overview while a Search facility allows users to find specific information. Many primary sources are available in Sam Clemens as Mark Twain, including agallery of photographs. E-texts of all Twain’s works can be accessed easily and an interactive map of Twain’s tours across America can be found in Mark Twain on stage. The section also includes reviews from newspapers of the time. Interactive exhibits and images support the site. The site allows users to locate information swiftly and effortlessly. It supports the teaching of The adventures of Huckleberry Finn within the English Stage 6 Area of Study: The journey. H. Gardiner
USER LEVEL: Stage 5 Stage 6 Professional
KLA: English
SYLLABUS: English 7–10; English Stage 6
SCIS SUBJECTS: American fiction – Biography; Authors, American; Children’s literature, American – Biography
PUBLISHER: S. Railton, USA
REVIEW DATE: 16/0707 [813] SCIS 1304112
Matt Ottley: author, artist, musician
Informative as an introduction to the writer and his work, Ottley's site displays his Books, reviews, musical compositions, Paintings and book illustrations. His diversity and wonderful publications for children and young adults are described in clear and concise written text which is greatly enhanced by a superb collection of artworks. Music samples include an audio track from Requiem for a beast. Study notes are available for purchase. This fascinating author and illustrator has published a range of works, pitched at different age groups, and the site displays his growing body of work. It is a useful reference for teachers and teacher librarians. C. Sly
USER LEVEL: Stage 4 Stage 5 Stage 6 Professional
KLA: CA; English
SYLLABUS: English K-6; English 7-10; English Stage 6; Visual Design CEC Stage 6
SCIS SUBJECTS: Authors, Australian; Children's literature, Australian; Illustrators, Australian
PUBLISHER: M. Ottley, Australia
REVIEW DATE: 04/04/09 [A823] SCIS 1398491
Nadia Wheatley
The site features award winning Australian writer and illustrator, Nadia Wheatley. Composer of a range of books for children, young adults and adults, Wheatley's publications explore such themes as multiculturalism, environmental preservation and social justice. Her acclaimed picture book My place is a worthwhile resource for the English Stage 6 Area of Study: Belonging. In Teachers, then Classroom ideas, teachers will find a PDF document entitled My place classroom ideas. The document offers valuable information for teaching and learning, including an outline of the book, background information about its composition, pre-reading activities and thought provoking questions to suit a wide age group. Site material provides a useful springboard for a study of picture books in English 7-10. C. Sly
USER LEVEL: Stage 3 Stage 4 Stage 5 Stage 6 Professional
KLA: English; HSIE
SYLLABUS: English K-6; English 7-10; English Stage 6; HSIE K-6
SCIS SUBJECTS: Authors, Australian; Children's literature, Australian; Illustrators, Australian
PUBLISHER: Walker, Australia
REVIEW DATE: 04/04/09 [A823] SCIS 1398987
Narrative magazine
An online fiction and nonfiction journal, this resource
provides an excellent contemporary view of good writing
through excerpts and complete pieces. The
Editors’ note summarises content, with
a little analysis, and is a logical place for teachers to
assess the worth of the site. This issue will change in
September. Currently amongst the site’s best reading is
a Joyce Carol Oates memoir, and V. S. Pritchett’s story
Blind love. In Archives, site users
will find short story Classics,
Interviews, and the Readers
narrative. The latter takes a broad view of
narrative, and includes contributors’ views on global
events using many types of text. The magazine runs a
narrative competition and interested students can read the
2004 winner’s story online. The magazine supports the
teaching of reading and writing, and is worth investigation
by English Stage 6: Extension 2 students looking for
writing models for their Major work. C. Thomas
USER LEVEL: Stage 6 Professional
KLA: English
SYLLABUS: English 7–10; English Stage
6: Extension 2
SCIS SUBJECTS: Literature –
Periodicals
PUBLISHER: Narrative Magazine, USA
REVIEW DATE: 21/08/05 [809] SCIS 1219651
National Museum of
Australia
Contemporary,
vibrant, and engaging, the museum’s web site
presents collections which focus on Australia’s
nation, land, and people. From the simply expressed
main choices, a plethora of information and images is
found by following links and spending time in
research. Titles can be deceptive, as
Nation, for example, is an exhibition
of symbols in Australia’s history. Also in
Exhibitions,
Horizons is especially useful for the
English Area of Study: The journey, as it
examines migration since 1788. Play
is an interactive collection, particularly relevant
for HSIE K–6 and Stage 4 History. The web site
can easily be used to develop a virtual site study in
History and Aboriginal Studies; it contains strong
Indigenous and multicultural themes, with regular
changes in special exhibitions. Within
Schools, there is ready access to
teaching resources and ideas, and an interactive
talkback forum allows students to interview public
figures. C. Dorbis
USER LEVEL: Stage 3 Stage 4 Stage 5
Stage 6 Professional
KLA: English; HSIE
SYLLABUS: Aboriginal Studies 7–10;
Aboriginal Studies Stage 6; English Stage 6; Geography
7–10; History 7–10
SCIS SUBJECTS: Australia –
Galleries and museums
PUBLISHER: National Museum of Australia
REVIEW DATE: 16/03/05 [069 0994] SCIS
1033435
Neil Gaiman
Making great use of computer technology, Gaiman's website offers facilities to blog, micro blog, contribute to message forums, and discover information through his responses to FAQs. Biographical material and the writer's take on his diverse range of publications are engaging and informative. A raconteur of the postmodern era, Gaiman has many creations encompassing different genres. His penchant for telling weird and wonderful tales is evident in his prose fiction, audio books, graphic novels, poetry, comics and their adaptations for film and theatre. This is a captivating website for students and teachers studying any of Gaiman's highly creative works. C. Sly
USER LEVEL: Stage 5 Stage 6 Professional
KLA: English
SYLLABUS: English 7-10; English Stage 6
SCIS SUBJECTS: Authors, American
PUBLISHER: Harper Collins, USA
REVIEW DATE: 04/04/09 [813] SCIS 1398990
Nicki Greenberg
Acclaimed for her graphic adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's The great Gatsby, this contemporary Australian writer has a fascinating website. Greenberg explains her creation and use of bizarre creatures in her graphic representation of Fitzgerald's novel. She also includes information on the process of developing these weird visual characters. Her Comic art gallery presents other graphic tales online, providing interesting examples of the sequential art narrative style. The News/blog link hosts valuable content on the artist's own creative processes and links to the websites of other significant Australian graphic narrators, including Shaun Tan, Bruce Mutard and Queenie Chan. A very well presented and engaging site, this is well worth a visit. C. Sly
USER LEVEL: Stage 5Stage 6 Professional
KLA: CA; English
SYLLABUS: English 7-10; English Stage 6; Visual Arts 7-10; Visual Arts Stage 6
PUBLISHER: N. Greenberg, Australia
SCIS SUBJECT: Authors; Authors, Australian; Illustrators; Illustrators, Australian
REVIEW DATE: 17/12/08 [823] SCIS 1381202
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Ocean planet: writings and images of the sea
Excerpts from the book of a Smithsonian exhibition can be found on
this site. Relevant as supplementary reading for the English Stage
6 Area of Study: The journey, these include Sea Rat’s poetic
recount of his adventures from The wind in the willows, Ann Davison’s
recollection of her solo sailing trip in Singlehander, and Peter Benchley’s
reflection on searching for the giant squid in Discovery. While the
complete book is not available as an e-text these pieces complement
the BOS booklet for the HSC English course, and teachers could use
the excerpts to complement the Area of Study. The Ocean planet
exhibition floorplan links to extensive information relevant to environmental
studies and the science of the sea. H. Cobban
USER LEVEL: Stage 4 Stage 5 Stage 6
KLA: English
SYLLABUS: English 7–10; English Stage 6: Standard; Advanced;
ESL
SCIS SUBJECTS: Ocean in literature; Voyages and travels in literature
PUBLISHER: Smithsonian Institution, USA
REVIEW DATE: 09/12/05 [808.8] SCIS 1236192
OWL
handouts: complete index by topic
An online writing project, this site has cross curricula
usefulness for students. The site deals with the grammar
of writing and the creative process. In the former area,
a very good explanation for students is the extensive and
illustrated section on Active and passive
voice. Generally, grammatical notes assume some
knowledge, however the writing process, covered in
General writing concerns, is a more
fundamental guide to clear expression. Here, the use of
such things as metaphor, logic in argument, and sentence
variety, are carefully explained. The site also explains
letter writing, resumes, business writing, with many
examples, and the effective use of colour. Email
etiquette and Searching the world wide
web are appropriate and useful reading for
students. Interactive exercises could be
completed by students working independently. C. Thomas
USER LEVEL: Stage 5 Stage 6 Professional
KLA: English
SYLLABUS: English 7–10; English
Stage 6
SCIS SUBJECTS: English as a second
language – Problems, exercises, etc; English
language – Composition and exercises; English
language – Grammar – Problems, exercises,
etc; English language – Punctuation–
Problems, exercises, etc; English language – Study
and teaching; Writing (Authorship) – Problems,
exercises, etc; Writing (Authorship) – Study and
teaching
PUBLISHER: OWL at Purdue University, USA
REVIEW DATE: 21/08/05 [808] SCIS
1219688
OzLit@Vicnet - Australian literature,
books, reading & writing (Aust.
Aboriginal writers)
On this simple home page is listed, at time of this
review, a large number of Aboriginal authors: poets;
illustrators; performers; and storytellers. Most authors
have biographical details; some have links to their own
home page and, in some cases, extracts from their
writings and covers of selected books. There are
Aboriginal links to a page called
Australian Aboriginal interests which links to
several further useful pages. It also provides a
registered listserv for Literary discussion
group contributions. The site may be accessed to
show the range of contemporary Aboriginal writers, and
the breadth of topics and styles in their works. The site
also contains advertisements for Australian writing
events and new books. C. Dorbis
USER LEVEL: Stage 4 Stage 5 Stage 6
Professional
KLA: English; HSIE
SYLLABUS: Aboriginal Studies 7-10; 2U
Aboriginal Studies; English 7-10; English Stage 6:
Standard; Advanced; ESL;
History Stages 4-5
SCIS SUBJECTS: Authors, Aboriginal
KEYWORDS: Aboriginal writers; Australian
literature; books; reading; writing
PUBLISHER: VICNET, Victoria
AUTHOR: Mareya & Peter Schmidt
REVIEW DATE: 8/8/03
Pacific stories learning
Visually attractive and easy to navigate, this wonderful site is packed with information and features for students and teachers. Videos, maps and classroom activities focus on Pacific and Melanesian regions, including Papua, Tonga and Vanuatu. Site users can view and download short clips of interviews with journalists and indigenous people, use an engaging Interactive map which has material on Shipwrecks, History, Trade and Marine life, and access lesson plans and work sheets directly linked to NSW syllabuses. In the Teachers guide, the interview with a journalist in Bougainville would be useful for the study of Frontline in Stage 6 English. The site has a wealth of material for Modern History. Links to further resources and films are an added bonus. H. Cobban
USER LEVEL: Stage 5 Stage 6
KLA: English; HSIE
SYLLABUS: English Stage 6: Advanced; Geography 7–10; History 7–10; Modern History Stage 6
SCIS SUBJECTS: Pacific Islands
PUBLISHER: Film Australia
REVIEW DATE: 17/12/07 [990] SCIS 1324641
The
Pardoner's tale (Chaucer: Pardoner's
tale)
One of the most depraved of Chaucer's pilgrims, the
Pardoner, unrepentant of his vices, weaves a fascinating
tale. A very useful site,which presents printed versions
of the introduction; Prologue; and tale in either
Middle English or Modern
English. A particularly interesting presentation
of the text, the interlinear version whereby the Middle
English is translated line by line, is offered through
the Harvard University link. The Essays and
articles section contains several essays on this
focal character. Audio clips and detailed bibliographies
enhance this well-constructed electronic resource which
will be a useful starting point as part of the
Advanced Stage 6 English course Module A:
Comparative study of texts and context, Elective
1: Transformations. C. Sly
USER LEVEL: Stage 6
KLA: English
SYLLABUS: English Stage 6:
Advanced
SCIS SUBJECTS: Chaucer, Geoffrey;
Pardoner's tale
KEYWORDS: Chaucer; Middle English;
Pardoner's tale
PUBLISHER: A. Jokinen, USA
REVIEW DATE: 13/11/03 [821] SCIS 1101853
Peter Skrzynecki’s web
site (Welcome to Peter Skrzynecki's
web site)
The life and works of a contemporary Australian poet of
Polish Ukranian background features on this site. It is a
brief, but useful, introductory site, which offers
biographical information on the poet, and details about
sources of Reviews and
Articles on his work. The commentary on
works set for the HSC is undeveloped at the time of
writing this review, but there is an option to
Contact the poet by email. Students of
this option in the Area of Study: Focus: Changing
perspectives, in the Standard or Advanced courses of
the English: Stage 6 syllabus, or Area of Study:
Perspective in the ESL course could find it a
useful starting point. Clearly there is potential for
this site to be developed into a much more comprehensive
resource. C. Sly
USER LEVEL: Stage 6
KLA: English
SYLLABUS: English Stage 6:
Standard; Advanced
SCIS SUBJECTS: Australian poetry;
Skrzynecki, Peter
KEYWORDS: Australian poetry
PUBLISHER: P. Skrzynecki, Edgecliff
REVIEW DATE: 13/11/03 [A821] SCIS
1092274
Picturing
books
The deconstruction of
picture book elements is clearly described in this
informative site which is maintained by a lover of the
genre. Using picture books displays
large and vibrant covers, with explanations of terms
and the basic elements of visual design, story design,
and illustration. These ideas are expanded in
Palette, where styles, techniques,
and design elements, are comprehensively explained.
Within Links, the list of
Illustrators and authors is a
fascinating visual and auditory journey through clever
and creative authorial web sites. Teachers will
recognise many names here, such as Babette Cole, Greg
Tang, Mem Fox, and Dr. Seuss. Makers of and readers of
picture books will learn much from this
enthusiastically structured resource. It is
particularly useful for English: Extension 2
students who are contemplating a Major Work within
this genre. C. Thomas
USER LEVEL: Stage 6 Professional
KLA: English
SYLLABUS: English Stage 6: Extension
2
SCIS SUBJECTS: Books and
reading; Children’s literature; Illustration of
books; Picture books
PUBLISHER: D. I. Matulka, USA
REVIEW DATE: 17/03/05 [808.06] SCIS
1128767
Places
of peace and power: the sacred site pilgrimage of
Martin Gray
Gray's extended pilgrimage, to investigate and
photograph the world's constructed sacred sites, is
documented here in this personal web site. Gray discusses
the history of the sites, and his photographic images are
outstanding. A preoccupation with parapsychology, and the
author's spiritual experiences of communing with the
living Earth, will not suit every student, but for those
seeking a deeper understanding for The journey
in English Stage 6, this site will prove lucrative for
supplementary material. Especially useful for The
journey are Gray's Latin American
pilgrimage journal, from the
Americas link in Explore sacred
sites; other written texts from this site; and
Places of peace and power, found in the
Sacred sites book, which describes a
pilgrimage philosophy. Site photographs will vividly
illustrate the teaching of Studies of Religion. C. Thomas
USER
LEVEL:
Stage 5 Stage 6 Professional
KLA: English; HSIE
SYLLABUS: English Stage 6;
Studies of Religion 7.10; Studies of Religion Stage 6
SCIS SUBJECTS:
Historic buildings, sites, etc.; Pilgrims and
pilgrimages; Voyages and travels
PUBLISHER:
M. Gray, USA
REVIEW
DATE:
25/05/05 [203] SCIS 1203505
Poetry magic
Densely written and satisfyingly illuminating, this site will have strong appeal for English teachers and serious student poets. The site has a straightforward layout and it gives an academic introduction to the writing as well as the business of poetry. It does not publish poetry. The site concentrates on a helpful analysis of writing, as shown in Approaches, Cycle of writing, and Shaping the piece. Students creating poetic works of an experimental or performance nature for English or Visual Arts will find some fine ideas here. The site’s general list of topics, plus the detailed material in Need for theory, supports English Stage 6: Extension 1 students with information on Critiquing and Postmodernist poetry. The 50 Poets briefly discussed include some interesting names beyond the usual expectations. C. Thomas
USER LEVEL: Stage 6 Professional
KLA: CA; English
SYLLABUS: English Stage 6: Extension 1; Extension 2; Visual Arts Stage 6
SCIS SUBJECTS: Poetry – Study and teaching
PUBLISHER: LitLangs, Chile
REVIEW DATE: 30/04/07 [808.107] SCIS 1200142
The questions of postmodernism
For English students and teachers contemplating the study
of postmodernism, this illustrated site makes very
interesting reading. In a question and answer format,
with an appropriate mix of colloquial and academic
voices, information is given on defining and
understanding postmodernism in literature. Students
undertaking the elective Postmodernism in
English Stage 6: Extension 1 will find abundant
examples of texts, from which they can confidently
investigate further reading. The author delves into
movies, novels, games, short stories, theatre, music,
art, poetry, television, and comics, as he discusses and
explains the ideas of postmodernism in a readable and
entertaining style. The site is linear, about 20 pages
long, and well worth a look by all English teachers. C.
Thomas
USER LEVEL: Stage 6 Professional
KLA: English
SYLLABUS: English Stage 6: Extension
1
SCIS SUBJECTS: Literature and society;
Literature – History and criticism; Postmodernism
PUBLISHER: Jacket Magazine, Australia
REVIEW DATE: 21/08/05 [801] SCIS
1203512
Refractory: a
journal of entertainment
media
The site is an e
journal, with articles and conference papers, amusing
and serious, on a wide variety of entertainment media
issues. Students writing critical responses on media
and culture, or composing media and multimedia texts,
will find some of the material on this site useful for
their independent investigation of issues and
multimedia forms. Access to five volumes is available
online, with the most interesting being Volume
2, a special issue focussing on the
Buffy phenomenon, and supported by
imaginative graphics. Some of these articles on games,
fan fiction, and technologies, are dense and academic,
and most suitable for sophisticated readers. H. Cobban
USER LEVEL: Stage 6 Professional
KLA: English
SYLLABUS: English Stage 6: Extension
2
SCIS SUBJECTS: Audiovisual materials
– Periodicals; Mass media – Periodicals;
Performing arts – Periodicals; Popular culture
– Periodicals
PUBLISHER: Cinema Studies, School of
Fine Arts, Classical Studies Details and Archaeology,
University of Melbourne
REVIEW DATE: 23/07/04 [790.205] SCIS
1179979
RhymeZone
Finding rhyming words is one of 13 choices the site offers to students who are researching a word or term. The site will help students who are experimenting with writing poetry. It is a fast word finder for related words, Quotations using the selected word, synonyms, antonyms, definitions, and spelling help. It has some helpful follow up features that allow users to pursue their research, such as in investigating definitions of related words. Help is well worth a look as it explains how to use the site, including its multimedia potential. The site can be used easily and productively to search the works of Shakespeare for a particular word. There is more convoluted access to words within the King James Bible and dictionaries. The site has word games and word Quizzes. The latter has small sections of history, science, and languages drill. Suitable to support the L4L laptop project, this resource will be helpful in a connected environment. C. Thomas
USER LEVEL: Stage 4 Stage 5 Stage 6 Professional
KLA: English
SYLLABUS: English 7-10; English Stage 6
SCIS SUBJECTS: English language - Dictionaries; English language - Rhyme - Dictionaries; English language - Synonyms and antonyms - Dictionaries
PUBLISHER: Datamuse, USA
REVIEW DATE: 24/04/09 [823] SCIS 1407580
Robert Browning: An
overview
A subsection of the extensive The Victorian
web, this informative site offers comprehensive
information on the works of this innovative Victorian
poet. It outlines significant biographical details, and
sets the poet in his political and social context. Clear,
accessible internal links lead to a focus on his
Works; Themes;
Settings;Symbolism;
Structure; and Genre.
Texts and commentaries are available on some of the poems
set for study on the current HSC syllabus. It is a
valuable Internet location with a wide range of useful
material, with particular relevance to the English:
Stage 6 syllabus Extension course elective,
The individual and society. A few areas are
still under construction or inviting contribution. C. Sly
USER LEVEL: Stage 6
KLA: English
SYLLABUS: English Stage 6:
Extension
SCIS SUBJECTS: English Literature
KEYWORDS: Robert Browning; Literature;
Victorian
PUBLISHER: Brown University, USA
AUTHOR: G. P. Landow
REVIEW DATE: 8/8/03
Seamus Heaney - Cover
page
Two of Heaney’s poems (Personal helicon
andTollund man) set for study in 2003 for the
English: Stage 6 syllabus Extension
course appear on this web site, available through the
Internet poetry archive. There is much
additional information here to support a study of Heaney.
A representative sample of his work is available as both
hypertext and voice, giving students access to rhythms
and patterns of speech, while Biography
includes a brief discussion of his poetry and is linked
to relevant works. His 1996 Commencement
address at the University of North Carolina
provides an interesting insight into his views of his own
work. It is an easy site to navigate with plug in support
for audio files. W. Bowie
USER LEVEL: Stage 6
KLA: English
SYLLABUS: English Stage 6:
Extension
SCIS SUBJECTS: Heaney, Seamus; Irish
poetry - Biography
KEYWORDS: Seamus Heaney; poetry
PUBLISHER: University of North Carolina,
USA
REVIEW DATE: 8/8/03
Senses of cinema : an
online journal devoted to the serious and eclectic
discussion of
cinema
Presenting a rich
and readable source of ideas on film, this online
journal will interest all teachers of media. Within
Cteq annotations, knowledgeable
contributors have posted reviews, critiques, and
articles, on a large number of films crossing genres
from Charlie’s angels and Japanese
story, to silent French films and experimental
digital media. There is much of value here for
Extension 2 students contemplating a Major
work in film construction or analysis. The
extensive collection of Great
directors includes biographies, and excellent
summaries and analyses of each director’s films.
Orson Welles is the only director
here from the HSC prescribed text list, and an article
on Rabbit proof fence can be found in
Issue 19. Archives goes back
to the first issue in 1999, and each issue clearly
lists contents. Archived content is most easily found
through Search, and is well worth a
look by English teachers. C. Thomas
USER LEVEL: Stage 6 Professional
KLA: English
SYLLABUS: English 7–10; English
Stage 6
SCIS SUBJECTS: Film festivals; Films
– History and criticism; Films – Reviews
PUBLISHER: Senses of Cinema, Australia
REVIEW DATE: 16/03/05 [791.43] SCIS
1185772
Shakespeare illustrated
Paintings, mainly from the 19th century, are boldly shown here to illustrate some relationships between artists and productions of Shakespeare’s plays. The influence of art on literature is examined in the Introduction, suggesting the site’s potential for an English study of the plays, and a Visual Arts study of the artist’s intent. The works could also be used to show how an artist’s interpretation can be read by different audiences. The plays list artworks, some with a quotation from the scene used as inspiration. For example: The tempest has several interesting works to support discussions of the imaginative journey for the English Stage 6 Area of Study: The journey; Twelfth night has artworks supporting the study of gendered language for English: Extension 1. The site is a boon for visual learners and teachers who are interested in the creative connections between English and Visual Arts. C. Thomas
USER LEVEL: Stage 5 Stage 6 Professional
KLA: CA; English
SYLLABUS: English 7–10; English Stage 6: Standard; Advanced; Extension 1; Visual Arts 7–10
SCIS SUBJECTS: Art, Modern – 17th-18th centuries; Art, Modern – 19th century; English drama – History and criticism; Shakespeare, William–Criticism, interpretation, etc
PUBLISHER: Emory University, USA
REVIEW DATE: 30/04/07 [709.03] SCIS 1296764
Shakespeare searched
Site users can search characters’ dialogue in the plays, and lines in the sonnets on this site. The entire dialogue of a character can be displayed and then followed up with lines before and after. Dialogue is cross referenced to a given list of topics, for example the concept of fear in Hamlet. The site utilises cluster searching and it could be used to identify thematic and content connections across works. Teachers will find some interesting ideas for using the resource in For teachers and For students. About Shakespeare searched explains useful search techniques, and students may benefit from a look here. The site is Shakespearean text only with no analysis or other information, and it has no advertisements, making it an excellent resource for student use. C. Thomas
USER LEVEL: Stage 4 Stage 5 Stage 6 Professional
KLA: English
SYLLABUS: English 7–10; English Stage 6
SCIS SUBJECTS: Shakespeare, William – Quotations;Thematic approach
PUBLISHER: Clusty Labs, USA
REVIEW DATE: 17/12/07 [822.3] SCIS 1332536
Shakespeare: subject to change
Shakespeare is brought to life in this visually appealing, highly interactive site. Aimed at exploring different interpretations of the Bard’s plays, the site has two main zones. Pen to print contains excellent information regarding the writing process and the printing process. Three informative games for invented words, common expressions and creative insults can be found in Shakespeare’s language. Accompanying audio is sure to enhance student understanding. Stage to screen examines two interpretations of Hamlet. Video extracts, with detailed analysis of the clips, are available in Two Hamlets and We are Hamlet. This fantastic site is a fine resource for English classrooms. H. Gardiner
USER LEVEL: Stage 4Stage 5 Stage 6 Professional
KLA: English
SYLLABUS: English 7–10; English Stage 6
SCIS SUBJECTS: English drama; Shakespeare, William
PUBLISHER: Cable in the Classroom, USA
REVIEW DATE: 16/07/07 [822.3] SCIS 1220642
Shaun Tan
Studies of the work of this superb writer and illustrator will be enhanced by visiting his website. The homepage captures the essence of his quirky and incisive style, and a range of arty links leads to autobiographical details, Picture books, Paintings, projects and FAQs. Details are provided on works that have been adapted for Film and theatre, and musical presentations. In a simple yet sophisticated style, Tan's work sensitively explores many conscious and subconscious elements of human nature. The site's engaging visual representations and astutely written text explore the author's ideas as presented in his picture books. This is a wonderful site to introduce or research the publications of a highly acclaimed Australian author and illustrator. C. Sly
USER LEVEL: Stage 3 Stage 4 Stage 5 Stage 6 Professional
KLA: English
SYLLABUS: English K-6; English 7-10; English Stage 6
SCIS SUBJECTS: Authors, Australian; Children's literature, Australian; Illustrators, Australian
PUBLISHER: S. Tan, Australia
REVIEW DATE: 04/04/09 [A823] SCIS 1302618
Shrek
The News is old, but the analysis of the
film on this site is excellent. Four full
Reviews model the genre well, and short
reviews add interesting information and perspectives on
this popular movie. The site is suitable to use for the
animation component of the Photography, Video and
Digital Imaging Stage 6 syllabus. Easy to navigate,
and pleasant to explore, teachers will find a range of
crosscurricula material here, including articles on
marketing, intertextuality, animation technology, and the
workings of the film industry. Some sections require
QuickTime to view. Written in simple,
descriptive language, there is also an array of movie
stills in the Gallery. N. French
USER LEVEL: Stage 4 Stage 5Stage 6
KLA: CA; English
SYLLABUS: CECPhotography, Video &
Digital Imaging Stage 6; English 7–10; English
Stage 6
SCIS SUBJECTS: Film animation; Shrek
(Motion picture)
PUBLISHER: Digtital Media FX, USA.
REVIEW DATE: 11/11/04 [791.43] SCIS
1175036
Spark Notes King
Lear
A succinct summary of
the play, King Lear, is provided here with
embedded links to character summaries and dramatic
terms. Each scene is summarised, and includes links to
a glossary of dramatic concepts, such as protagonist,
climax, and plot. Concise commentaries also accompany
each scene. Navigation is crisp and searchable from
the cover page. Context outlines the
play as published and performed. This is a very user
friendly resource to support study of the English:
Stage 6 syllabus Advanced course,
Module B: Critical study of texts. W. Bowie
USER LEVEL: Stage 6
KLA: English
SYLLABUS: English Stage 6:
Advanced
SCIS SUBJECTS: Shakespeare, William
– Criticism, interpretation, etc.; Shakespeare,
William. King Lear
KEYWORDS: King Lear
PUBLISHER: The Spark.com Inc, USA
AUTHOR: Susannah Mandel
REVIEW DATE: 8/8/03
Stagework
An exceptional resource for Drama and English teachers, this site is like having a production team at school. For teachers shows the usefulness of the site, and this section is worth an initial look. It contains a number of interesting Drama related lesson plans, including guidelines for adapting a novel for performance. For the latter, Phillip Pulman’s His dark materials is detailed to show how it has been interpreted for the stage. Events & workshops has entire workshops for schools on The crucible and Henry V. These excellent resources are ready for teacher implementation. Site users may also view videos of discussions on these two plays. Productions has videos, interviews and analyses of these plays and Richard III, strongly supporting the English Stage 6 study of the latter. Issues has some interesting analytical papers on the site’s texts. The Interactive theatre model allows Drama students to research the work behind the scenes. C. Sly & C. Thomas
USER LEVEL: Stage 5 Stage 6 Professional
KLA: CA; English
SYLLABUS: Drama 7–10; Drama Stage 6; English Stage 6: Standard
SCIS SUBJECTS: Drama – Study and teaching; Theatre – Production and direction
PUBLISHER: Royal National Theatre, UK
REVIEW DATE: 18/12/06 [792.02] SCIS 1280078
Summary
Central
A repository of
thirty summaries of novels and dramas, this site has
an easily followed, standard form. Summaries already
posted include: 1984; Brave new
world; A doll’s
house;Hamlet; and Jane Eyre.
Generally, these are of good quality, supplying
characters and setting, a paragraph on plot, and brief
outline of style and concerns. While the site offers
limited analysis of a fairly finite range of texts, it
provides a potential model for students to compose
their own summaries, and perhaps publish them on a
school intranet or in OASIS Library
Notes. This is relevant to modules in
both the Advanced and Extension
courses in the English: Stage 6 syllabus. W.
Bowie
USER LEVEL: Stage 5 Stage 6
KLA: English
SYLLABUS: English 7-10; English Stage 6:
Advanced; Extension
SCIS SUBJECTS: Literature
KEYWORDS: 1984; Brave new world; A
doll’s house; Hamlet; Jane eyre; summary
PUBLISHER: Unknown, USA?
REVIEW DATE: 8/8/03
Teach with
movies
An ethical guide to
film use in schools, this cross curricula site
provides subscribers’ resource guides for a
small fee, plus free information online. The former
includes guides for the English Stage 6 texts of
Contact, Strictly ballroom,
Billy Elliott, High noon, and
Rabbit proof fence. History favourites
include Gallipoli. For
teachers summarises the site’s brief
and content, and is a helpful tool to assess
curriculum relevance. For parents has
excellent material on film discussion techniques.
Movies not recommended is a valuable
tool, particularly as it explains the judgement, and
directs site users to similar, recommended, films.
Indexes include Subject matter,
Character development and
Alphabetical. In the latter, teachers
will find a useful summary of the film, its age
appropriateness, and a list of themes. C. Thomas
USER LEVEL: Professional
KLA: CA; English; HSIE
SYLLABUS: Drama 7–10; English
7–10; English Stage 6; History 7–10
SCIS SUBJECTS: Films in education; Films
– Study and teaching
PUBLISHER: Teachwithmovies.org, USA
REVIEW DATE: 16/03/05 [791.43] SCIS
1054460
Teaching
Euripides' Medea
On this academic site, teachers and students of this
ancient Greek tragedy will find a wealth of informative
links, which teachers will need to check for syllabus
relevance. A range of source material, including
pictorial images, provides valuable background detail.
The Cambridge introduction to tragedy
and Introduction to Greek stagecraft
assist in setting the play in its historical context.
Information on the use of the Chorus and on the role of
the male actor in Greek tragedy offer interesting
insights into this historic genre. Two study guides on
the Medea provide thoughtfully devised exercises
and activities to assist students in their understanding
and appreciation of this particular example of
Revenge tragedy. C. Sly
USER LEVEL: Stage 6
KLA: English; CA
SYLLABUS: English Stage 6: Extension
1; Drama Stage 6
SCIS SUBJECTS: Euripides. Medea; Greek
drama; Tragedy
PUBLISHER: Berkeley SunSITE, USA
REVIEW DATE: 13/11/03 [882] SCIS 1104509
Teaching the American 20s: exploring the decade through literature and art
As a resource for examining the 1920s, this comprehensive site provides a wealth of reference material. Navigation is straightforward with information organised into four main themes. Big debates contains material that focuses on the social issues of the time. Small town, big city considers the shifting nature of urban life. Forms of creative expression are explored in America encounters the modern and cultural identity is investigated in Defining American culture. An excellent Image gallery is also organised according to the themes with a wide variety of posters, novel extracts, postcards and magazine covers that exemplify the fashion and politics of the decade. Particularly interesting are the Lesson plans that cover literature and history. Aimed at American secondary students, a number of lessons are available for The great Gatsby and the poetry of Langston Hughes. This impressive site is a worthy reference. H. Gardiner
USER LEVEL: Stage 5 Stage 6
KLA: English; HSIE
SYLLABUS: English 7-10; English Stage 6; Modern History Stage 6
SCIS SUBJECTS: American literature - Study and teaching;Arts, American - Study and teaching; United States - History - 1919-1933 - Study and teaching; United States - Social life and customs - 1919-1933 - Study and teaching
PUBLISHER: Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center, USA
REVIEW DATE: 02/09/08 [973.91] SCIS 1380653
Ted Hughes
homepage
With particular
relevance to the English: Stage 6 syllabus
Advanced course elective, Telling the
truth, the article Poetry and Magic
offers a detailed discussion of Birthday
letters in relation to the structure of the
collection. Though only extending for three chapters,
further chapters are promised that will cover all
poems set for study in the HSC. This site also
features a comprehensive
Timeline and further very
learned articles on general and bardic aspects of
Hughes’ poetry. Links to other Hughes sites are
also useful for further reference but would need to be
checked for relevance to the current HSC text. W Bowie
USER LEVEL: Stage 6
KLA: English
SYLLABUS: English Stage 6:
Advanced
SCIS SUBJECTS: Hughes, Ted
KEYWORDS: Birthday letters; Ted Hughes
PUBLISHER: Dr Ann Skea, Australia
REVIEW DATE: 8/8/03
The Psychedelic 60s: literary tradition and social change
The seventh decade of the 20th century will be remembered as a time of dramatic social, cultural and political change. This comprehensive site explores the revolutionary 1960s. A question and answer format used in the Introduction highlights the impact of the decade and provides a context to the exhibits that are presented on the site. By accessing the menu, users can view a plethora of materials. 19th century precursors and 20th century precursors offer information about figures such as Walt Whitman and Ralph Waldo Emerson, who influenced the writers and musicians of the beat generation. Changes in music are also documented in Rock music and Woodstock. Civil rights and Four radical groups present detailed accounts of the fight for equality and the formation of political groups, including the Black Panther party. Especially helpful for a decade study or for examining historical and social contexts, this superb website is a great source of material. H. Gardiner
USER LEVEL: Stage 5 Stage 6
KLA: English; HSIE
SYLLABUS: English 7–10; English Stage 6; History 7–10; Modern History Stage 6
SCIS SUBJECTS: American literature – 20th century; Popular culture – History – 20th century; United States – History – 1945–1974; United States – Social life and customs – 1945–1974
PUBLISHER: University of Virginia, USA
REVIEW DATE: 04/04/08 [306.0973] SCIS 1353581
The
works of Hans Christian
Andersen
An
extensive and interesting site, this excellent
resource offers translated fairy tales, stories, other
writings, and information about the author. Teachers
can locate biographical information in
Life, and English translations in
Jean Hersholt’s the complete
Andersen. Detailed and evocative,
Oskar Klever
watercolours are beautifully
depicted, as are young students’ illustrations
in the Illustrations gallery, which
is found in Miscellaneous. The site
gives great access to Andersen’s
Works, and can be used simply to read
the fairy tales, or for a more academic study of both
the tales and the adult stories of Andersen. In
Research, some of the conference
papers will aid an understanding of teaching the
texts, while others could assist Stage 6 English
students preparing a Major Work in this area.
C. Thomas
USER
LEVEL:
Stage2 Stage 3 Stage 4 Stage 6 Professional
KLA: English
SYLLABUS: English K–6;
English 7–10; English Stage 6: Extension 2
SCIS
SUBJECTS: Andersen, Hans
Christian; Danish fiction – Biography; Danish
literature – History and criticism
PUBLISHER:
Hans Christian Andersen Center, Denmark
REVIEW
DATE:
25/05/05
[839.8]
SCIS 1208774
The
Third Man in the German
classroom
Although
a little convoluted in presentation, this site will be
of interest to teachers using the film The third
man. The site includes a review of the
Restored DVD version, and a review of
Charles Dranzit’s text In search of The
third man. Dialogue Worksheets
transcribe parts of the script and are most useful for
German students. Following the worksheets is a short
but readable review of Graham Greene’s novel.
The site gives clear explanations of how teachers can
use the film’s German language and Austrian
culture in the classroom. For English students,
descriptions of film noir techniques could be useful
in introducing the study of Citizen Kane, and
the film’s script is also shown to be relevant
as a supplementary text for Elective 2: Crime
fiction in English Extension 1. History students
could also be enlightened by the film’s
realistic depiction of post war Europe, and the site
has suggestions for using the film for this purpose.
C. Thomas
USER LEVEL: Stage 6 Professional
KLA: English; HSIE; Languages
SYLLABUS: English Stage 6:
Advanced; English Stage 6: Extension 1
; German Stage 6: Beginners;
Continuers; Extension; Modern History
Stage 6
SCIS SUBJECTS: Films – History and
criticism; German language – Study and
teaching
PUBLISHER: About.com, USA
REVIEW DATE: 11/11/04 [438.3] SCIS
1173044
Traveling in new directions: teaching non-linear picture books
A short academic article extolling the value of nonlinear
picture books, this resource contains practical advice and
tools for English teachers. The site examines the
characteristics and categories of these texts, and offers
useful teaching strategies, such as manipulating existing
student knowledge and use of nonlinear electronic worlds. It
shows how teachers can actively help students deal with the
gaps in meaning, the seemingly superfluous information, and
ambiguity of these non-traditional narratives. A short
analysis of Trouble with trolls, Simple
Simon, and Granpa, will help engender an
awareness of difference, and aid appreciation of the highly
imaginative nature of nonlinear texts. The article,
referenced with academic research and picture books, is
invaluable for Stage 6 students working with picture books
for their Major work. C. Thomas
USER LEVEL: Stage 6 Professional
KLA: English
SYLLABUS: English K–6; English
7–10; English Stage 6: Extension 2
SCIS SUBJECTS: Children’s literature;
Picture books – Study and teaching; Plot (Drama,
fiction, etc) – Study and teaching
PUBLISHER: Central Connecticut State
University, USA
REVIEW DATE: 21/08/05 [809.3] SCIS 1202891
Victorian literature
overview
Resources for this site have been growing and developing
since it began as a supply of information for students of
Victorian literature in 1985. A fine source for documents
in its own right, it has adapted well to the style and
potential of the web. Current HSC set writers available
include: Charlotte Bronte; Robert Browning; Elizabeth
Gaskell; and William Wordsworth. As well as placing each
writer in their political and social context, there is a
detailed examination of themes, symbolism, structure,
genre and literary relations. This is relevant to modules
in both the Advanced and Extension
courses in the English: Stage 6 syllabus. Useful
biographies and bibliographies, and briefs of critical
articles are included, which could be used to encourage
students in critical appraisal and wider reading about an
author. A. Glasscock
USER LEVEL: Stage 6 Professional
KLA: English
SYLLABUS: English Stage 6:
Advanced; Extension
SCIS SUBJECTS: English Literature
KEYWORDS: Literature; Victorian
PUBLISHER: Brown University, USA
AUTHOR: G. P. Landow
REVIEW DATE: 8/8/03
Wikinews:
welcome
News articles written by amateur journalists form the
content of this innovative online newspaper. Writers are
given detailed and clear instructions as to the content
and style of news reports, and Wikinews:writing
an article and Reporter’s
tools, have practical application in all English
high school syllabuses. The site stresses neutrality in
news writing, and contributors can edit material written
by others. A very practical writing tool, the site has
exceptional value for extension work in English. Clear
directions on researching and sourcing material assist
the development of required reporting skills. Students
will need technical competence to write and edit reports,
but the site very clearly explains what, how, and why
things are done. The site is available in some European
languages, providing contemporary activities for language
students. C. Thomas
USER LEVEL: Stage 5 Stage 6 Professional
KLA: English; Languages
SYLLABUS: English 7–10; English
Stage 6; French Stage 6; German Stage 6; Russian Stage 6;
Spanish Stage 6
SCIS SUBJECTS: Current events;
Electronic publishing; Journalism; News services; Report
writing
PUBLISHER: Wikimedia Foundation, USA
REVIEW DATE: 24/08/05 [070.4] SCIS
1208976
William Wordsworth: an
overview
A section within
the excellent The Victorian web, this
is a very accessible and comprehensive resource for
study of Module A: Comparative study of texts and
contexts, elective 2, In the wild of the
Advanced course in the English: Stage 6
syllabus. The life, works, and context of William
Wordsworth are presented in terms of:
Biography; Themes;
sources, influences and intertextuality; Genre
& mode; Political
history; and an overview of Romanticism. Good
commentatries for guided study cover Tintern
Abbey, and the site is regularly updated. W.
Bowie
USER LEVEL: Stage 6
KLA: English
SYLLABUS: English Stage 6:
Advanced
SCIS SUBJECTS: Wordsworth, William
– Criticism, interpretation, etc.
KEYWORDS: Romantics; Wordsworth
PUBLISHER: Brown University, USA
AUTHOR: G. P. Landow
REVIEW DATE: 8/8/03
The William Wordsworth
page
The acknowledged purpose of these simply navigated pages
is to introduce the life and works of Wordsworth. The
short biography, with embedded links to critical essays
and illustrative extracts from Wordsworth’s works,
is particularly relevant for the Advanced:
Comparative study of texts and context elective of
the English: Stage 6 syllabus . Further links
are provided to online journals, criticisms, and the
invaluable Bartleby archive of
the complete poetical works. A gallery of images
of Wordsworth, and access to the Wordsworth Trust, are
also available. These provide excellent support for an
exploration of the social, political, and environmental
context of Wordsworth’s work. W. Bowie
USER LEVEL: Stage 6 Professional
KLA: English
SYLLABUS: English Stage 6:
Advanced
SCIS SUBJECTS: Wordsworth, William
– Criticism, interpretation, etc.
KEYWORDS: Wordsworth; Romantic poets
PUBLISHER: David K Rasnake, USA
REVIEW DATE: 8/8/03
Women in the literary marketplace, 1800-1900
Brief but interesting, this information from an exhibition of books and letters focuses on the historical context of English women writers in the 19th century and explores how they achieved remarkable success in a culture that repressed women's literary ambitions. A historical account, it refers to particular authors such as Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte, Jane Eyre, and George Elliot, and to the practice of writing under a pseudonym. The website also examines the changing context and content of women's novels in terms of how they reflect the modern women who resisted traditional marital or social roles and who claimed their rights to defeat oppressive conventions. S. Richards
USER LEVEL: Stage 5 Stage 6
KLA: English
SYLLABUS: English 7-10; English Stage 6
SCIS SUBJECTS: Authors, English - Exhibitions; English literature - 19th century - History and criticism; Sexism in literature; Women in England - History
PUBLISHER: Cornell University, USA
REVIEW DATE: 02/09/08 [820.8] SCIS 1375770
Wordplay
Aimed at young people interested in writing, this site is
the work of a new and acclaimed Australian fiction
writer. Alyssa Brugman offers tips on a number of aspects
of the writer's craft including: think like a
writer; write what you know;
use of dialogue and
editing, found from want to
write but don't know where to start? In
addition, there are a number of suggested links for young
writers who may consider publishing their work. Teachers
will need to check these for syllabus relevance. A
useful, easily navigated site, this has a good deal to
offer across a range of ages. It is practical, positive,
and stimulating for budding authors.C.Sly
USER LEVEL: Stage 4 Stage 5 Stage 6
KLA: English
SYLLABUS: English 7-10; English Stage 6
SCIS SUBJECTS: Writing (Authorship)
PUBLISHER: A. Brugman, Australia
REVIEW DATE: 13/11/03 [808] SCIS 1101896
Writer's handbook: the Writing Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison
An online handbook for writing, the site's strategies for writing effectively will help students with factual writing tasks, especially literary reviewing. The site is well laid out, with good use made of headings and bullet points. There are practical self evaluation tasks and many questions which will help to focus students on writing cohesive and readable documents. Students will get most benefit in the areas of process writing, grammar, writing essays and reports. Coming to grips with the excellent content of Clear, concise sentences in Improving your writing style will improve students' essays in all KLAs. Students undertaking research leading to the production of major works will find the site useful, especially in terms of Planning and writing research papers. Suitable to support the L4L laptop project, this resource will be helpful in a connected environment. C. Thomas
USER LEVEL: Stage 5 Stage 6 Professional
KLA: English
SYLLABUS: English 7-10; English Stage 6
SCIS SUBJECTS: Report writing; Technical writing
PUBLISHER: University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA
REVIEW DATE: 24/04/09 [808] SCIS 1407560
Writing clearly and simply
The site contains some of the clearest explanations of strategies for effective writing that students will find on the internet. Primarily a resource for writers with cognitive disabilities, and those writing for them, the site has 20 techniques that any high school writer will benefit from reading. Students should be directed to these points. In particular, the sections on how to recognise and use active voice, parallel sentences, and strong verbs, will be of value to students. Site material supporting the 20 techniques may assist teachers. The site supports the L4L laptop project and use within a connected environment. C. Thomas
USER LEVEL: Stage 4 Stage 5Stage 6Professional
KLA: English
SYLLABUS: English 7-10; English Stage 6
SCIS SUBJECTS: Communication; Literary style; Writing (Authorship)
PUBLISHER: WebAIM, USA
REVIEW DATE: 30/04/09 [808] SCIS 1408572
Writing effectively and powerfully
A document to help adults write at work, this 39 page PDF resource has some helpful sections for teachers and senior students across KLAs. The resource promotes the powerful communication technique of simple writing rather than obtuse and wordy writing, that is, the style that students often use, falsely believing that it shows they are learned. Teachers will certainly pick up some good ideas and techniques in how to write powerful speeches, reports and articles through clever word choice and effective use of language structures. The site is especially strong in explaining how to write an outline, construct an argument, draft a document, and utilise the right brain in writing. The latter technique is an exceptional strategy for writing effectively in essay and creative modes, and it is described here in practical terms that will allow students to learn the skill of right brain thinking and writing. C. Thomas
USER LEVEL: Stage 6Professional
KLA: English
SYLLABUS: English 7-10; English Stage 6
SCIS SUBJECTS: Literary style; Writing (Authorship)
PUBLISHER: CIVICUS, South Africa
REVIEW DATE: 30/04/09 [808] SCIS 1408523
YMDI
An
exceptional tool for young media producers, this American site will
have particular appeal to students making films. Read About first to
see the site’s brief,
plus some useful ideas on how to use the site. There is little theory here, although
students can read interesting news and comments about recent events. There is
also little about actual filming, as this practical resource concentrates on
distribution knowledge. Students will gain much from a look at media practicalities
in Instructors. These structured lessons, templates and worksheets in media production
are an outstanding resource for aspiring film makers. The Toolkit covers distribution
and the reality of reaching an audience. Talk is a contemporary and valuable
database of ideas, plus work opportunities, events, festivals and contests. In
Media, students can investigate a linked website and view short feature films
with the maker’s analysis. Film data helpfully shows what audience is appropriate
for these films. C. Thomas
USER LEVEL: Stage
6 Professional
KLA: CA; English
SYLLABUS: English Stage 6; Photography, Video & Digital imaging
CEC Stage 6
SCIS SUBJECTS: Arts – Marketing; Audiovisual materials;
Mass media
PUBLISHER: YMDI,
USA
REVIEW DATE: 01/11/06 [706.8] SCIS
1276744
YRCA sample book ideas - We all fall
down
For a concise overview
of Robert Cormier’s chilling and suspenseful
novel, We all fall down, this site is a
helpful place to begin. It presents interesting
biographical information on the author, along with a
brief plot summary of the novel. In addition, concise
notes on major issues, such as vandalism, gun control
legislation (specific to USA), and teenage alcoholism,
are included, as are some reviews of the book. The
information available on this site could be a valuable
resource for students and teachers studying this novel
for the Standard course (Module B) of the
English: Stage 6 syllabus. C. Sly
USER LEVEL: Stage 6
KLA: English
SYLLABUS: Stage 6 English:
Standard
SCIS SUBJECTS: American literature
– Study and teaching; Cormier, Robert. We all fall
down
KEYWORDS: Book; ideas; sample; We all
fall down
PUBLISHER: University of Calgary, Canada
AUTHOR: Gale Sherman & Bette Ammon
REVIEW DATE: 8/8/03
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