by Paulette Sancken; Illustrations by Loren Kirkwood
It seems impossible to discuss computers these days without the
Internet entering the conversation. We seem to expect every
business-from Fortune 500 companies to the local diner-to set up
shop on the information superhighway. Hackers and novices alike
surf, or explore, the Internet for hours on end.
Such boundless enthusiasm for data has long been present in the education field. Until recently, knowledge was passed along in the classroom through traditional methods. We are just beginning to realize that computers and the Internet have opened limitless teaching resources.
There are obstacles to overcome, however. First, schools need to have the hardware and the ability to connect to the Internet. This requires funding, evaluating usage, and educating administrators about the benefits (as well as the inevitability and viability) of having their teachers and students computer- and Internet-literate.
Second, teachers need to know how to use a computer, how to network, what type of materials they may find, how to access that information easily and quickly, and the best ways to encourage their students to use computers.
Forward to Establishing the Web
Paulette Sancken is a public information specialist in the Publications Group.
