I Have Some Questions About the Internet

1. What is it?
2. How do I access it? How much does it cost?
3. How can teachers and administrators use it?
4. How do we use it in a classroom?
5. How do I create an engaged learning environment that best utilizes the Internet's unique capabilities?
6. How do I find information?
7. How do we share our knowledge and information with others on the Internet?
8. What about things kids shouldn't see or do?
9. How do we plan for technology?
10. What can we do to insure success with technology?

Basically it is many computers that share information with each other.

Internet Basic Concepts and the Internet according to Fermilab will provide you with additional information.

This is changing daily. School districts in Illinois should contact your Regional Learning Technology Hub for the latest news. Individuals in the Chicago area can choose a provider from the local list or the java-enhanced list. Both sites will help you locate an Internet Service Provider (ISP) that is close to you. The java list will show providers that are "band 1" - i.e. a local call - saves you money!

If you live anywhere else in the world, the List will help you locate an ISP.

C/net offers some simple suggestions to help you find the best Internet access provider.

Whatever you decide..."Get your modem running, head out on the highway!!!".

Here are a few examples:

• Professional Development articles by McKenzie and Harris and opportunities are growing, like INTEC and also Adult Ed Net
• Curriculum Development
• School Improvement Planning
• Alternative Assessment
• Communicating
• Finding Information

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The Future of Networking Technologies and the article, Children on the Internet by Steve Cisler,provide some insight.

The World Wide Web is an especially powerful tool for education.

"Those who know" say education is best when we change our teaching style to foster engaged learning and incorporate technology. The North Central Regional Educational Laboratory describes the concepts and the process in its publication Plugging In.

Here are some examples of what schools can do:

• Blue Web'n
• Education World
• Jason Project
• Global SchoolNet Projects
• Handbook of Engaged Learning Projects
• Global Attraction
• Intercultural E-mail
• Young Scientists
• Web 66
• Hands On Science Centers WorldWide
• Co-NECT Top 10 Educators Guide to the Internet

More "Those Who Know":

• US Department of Education
• ISBE
• EdWeb
• Northwestern University Institute for Learning Sciences
• Apple Classrooms Of Tomorrow Research
• University of Michigan

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Try these: Fermilab LInC Project Guide, EnterNet Projects or Organizing and Facilitating Telecollaborative Projects

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There are many "search engines" that have looked at a large percentage of sites that exists on the Internet. You enter the topic you are interested in and the search engine brings back a list of sites for you to examine. The sites that are the closest match are always at the top of the list.

C/net or Starting Point! will get you started. Go ahead- try it!

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Assuming that you have an Internet connection, begin by writing web pages. KidPub will help you start student writers. The Art of HTML and Netscape's Creating Net Sites are two resources. In addition The Fermilab LInC program has created a set of on-line resources that cover technical topics like writing HTML, list serves, newsgroups and finding information.

The tricky part is the server. Most Internet Service Providers offer this service or you can create your own server - but that's a subject for another day.

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These articles will provide perspective on the issue.

• Educational Access Issues
• Protecting our Children From the Internet
• Filtering the Web
• Child Safety on the Information Highway

   

The issue can be successfully addressed in several ways. At the

• Computer level, software, like SurfWatch, on each machine prevents access to KNOWN, undesirable sites.
• Server level, the LAN/WAN server restricts access. Sites that have been visited can be monitored.
• User level, each individual user is held personally responsible for his/her actions. This involves the use ofAcceptable Use Policies like these.

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Guiding Questions for Technology Planning and Learning Through Technology: A Planning and Implemenation Guide will get you started.

The National Center for Technology Planning and Pitsco's Lauch to Technology Planning are also valuable.

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The key is STAFF DEVELOPMENT and LOTS of it! Articles by Jamie McKenzie and Judi Harris offer some 'how-to' advice. The Fermilab LInC is also a great resource!

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