The next American president will likely be the candidate who crafts the best "impression" in the media. It is the job of social studies teachers to help students separate impressions from substance and to understand the role that media play in crafting people's meaning making and shaping their decision making. Social studies teachers can help…

States that a current challenge to the meaning of democracy is now being posed by the Internet and other forms of modern technology. Discusses the issue of teledemocracy, or cyberdemocracy and the issues that surface because of teledemocracy. Lists Web sites that teachers can use when discussing teledemocracy in the classroom. (CMK)

Presents the Internet learning guide EDSITEment that provides links to educational sites on the Web in the core humanities subjects. Identifies the process for selecting EDSITEment websites by using the following criteria: intellectual quality, website design, and website impact. Offers the 20 websites for history/social studies and suggestions…

Contends that the real problem in using the Internet is information evaluation and validation. Identifies three types of websites that cause social studies teachers concern: Hate Sites, Dumb Sites, and Conspiratory Sites. Provides guidelines that students can use when evaluating these types of online information. (CMK)

Explains what "portal" sites are on the World Wide Web stating that they often provide services or information that people frequently utilize. Contends that teachers and schools should consider creating a social studies portal site. Discusses different Web sites and offers two examples of social studies portals. (CMK)