Effective Classroom Uses of the InternetThe most extensively known fact about the Internet is it provides all kinds of information, from real world data like the Universal Currency Converter, to ancient artifacts like copies of the Dead Sea Scrolls. If it exits, and someone has even a small modicum of interest in it, you will most likely find it on the Internet. Sifting through these massive amounts of data to find useful resources on the Internet can be tedious and time-consuming. Users can be turned-off, without seeing the Internet for its endless possibilities. Educators need to do their best to make the transition of Internet use in the classroom as effective and efficient as possible. The best ways to incorporate the Internet into the classroom is as a tool for expanding learning beyond the confines of the classroom. Combined with a regular curriculum, an Internet inclusive curriculum can have astounding and positive effects on both teacher and students. More than likely, students are naturally attracted to and engaged by technology; Computers and the Internet are no exception. For infants and grown-ups alike, the computer seems like a big toy. Its massive television-like screen, attached to a flat panel with buttons (keyboard) and a funny looking animal (mouse) makes it impossible to remain uninterested in a computer. Likewise, the Internet provides a visual multimedia environment of intensive graphics, sound, and text that immerses the user into a user-friendly world of learning. Combined, these two forms of technology, if used effectively, blend to give students and teachers unparalleled power and knowledge at their fingertips. The Internet makes difficult and frustrating tasks of the past, more manageable and fun. For instance, students can now get help with homework, online. At the advent of this idea, this service was offered by business organizations like news media and nonprofit organizations. Now-a-days, many schools are creating their own online, homework helpline. As a child growing up, I often felt helpless, dull, and frustrated whenever I could not complete my homework. This resource on the other hand, can help to increase a child’s level of confidence and self-esteem, and in turn, their performance level in school. Every child in the classroom should know how to effectively take advantage of this opportunity. Students can also use the Internet to conduct extensive research on a variety of topics. Search engines and electronic libraries make it easy to access innovative ideas put forth by experts. Moreover, as more teachers bring Internet into the classrooms, many teachers are implementing in their lessons plans, criteria for evaluating the validity of information acquired through Internet Resources, before using it. As a three-year instructor of Technology Education, I was completely unaware of Web-based Evaluation Guides for validating Internet resources, until this course, Using the Internet for Curriculum Applications. It is important for students to know early in their Internet use, that majority of the information available is not from an accredited source. The Internet is a superhighway of information, meaning anybody and everybody can put information on it. Students can also use the Internet to interact with others students from around the world. This can be a great form of learning. For instance, the Internet is a cost effective way to share ideas, learn about another culture or even learn another language. It is very important for school districts to offer classes and training to help teachers keep up with technological advances and also to share ideas with fellow teachers. In this way, the Internet is bridging the gap and eliminating or cutting back on the costs for training programs. Teachers can access lesson plans, collaborative projects, and other resources from the Internet to enhance the curriculum. This is a great way to share information, collaborate with each other and at the same time make learning more interesting and fun. As the field of technology expands, many adults are re-entering school to develop skills marketable in today’s changing economy. One way in which educators and school administrators are trying to bridge the gap is with online learning programs, called Distance Education. Today, it is one of the fastest growing areas in education. “In academic year 1994-1995, an estimated 25,730 distance education courses with different catalog numbers were offered by higher education institutions” (National Center for Educational Statistics 1997). Distance education is instruction to remote users via computers and the Internet. This is a great idea for continuing education students. It is cost effective and it also cuts out commuter time for many individuals who want to further their education but do not have time to attend classes on a more rigorous schedule. Ideally, the Internet is best used to gather information of any kind, done by experts in a variety of areas. Rather than slow down a teacher’s planning, information technology can speed up the creation of quality lesson plans. It can also enhance learning and build creative, innovative, and exciting students. All is dependent on how we, as educators, choose to use this resourceful tool, the Internet. Works Cited
Discovery.com. “BJ Pinchbeck’s Homework Helper.” DiscoverySchool.com
2002. Online Available: http://school.discovery.com/homeworkhelp/bjpinchbeck
Hofstetter, Fred T. Internet Literacy. Second Edition. New York: McGraw Hill, 1998. Jeffrey D. Holdeman. “Using the Internet in the Classroom.” The Basics of Using the World Wide Web in the Slavic and East European. 1998. Available Online: http://www.cohums.ohio-state.edu/slavic/people/holdeman/web/overview.htm Mandell, Steven L. and Colleen J. Mandell. Building Computer Awareness. Minnesota: West Publishing Company, 1995. National Center for Education Statistics. “Statistical Analysis Report: Distance Education in Higher Education Institutions.” National Center for Educational Statistics. 1997. Available Online: http://nces.ed.gov/pubs98/distance/chap2.html#institutions |