Internet philosophy

Personal Internet Philosophy

I think that Internet use in schools is an important part of a student’s educational experience. I also think the greatest problem with Internet use in schools is the lack of Internet savvy teachers. How can we expect students to conduct logical searches, use proper Internet etiquette and be mindful of copyright laws if teachers do not teach them these skills? Jane Healy spent two years visiting classrooms to observe students an d computer use an d in her travels she discovered "too many ill-informed software choices; inadequate teacher preparation; children engaging in idle clicking, game-playing, and silly surfing; lack of relevance to curriculum" and much more. In many cases, students know more about computers and the Internet than their teachers, this simply must change!

So what needs to be done in order to make sure students use the Internet in the most proper but beneficial way? The answer is more (or better) teacher training. I seriously doubt that most teachers or teacher’s aides know how to teach search strategies, search a database or evaluate a web site. These skills are a must in order for students to get the most out of their Internet experience. If teacher training were a priority, I believe districts would get the most out of their brand new computers and more importantly, students would receive better instruction.

I think that teacher/Internet training should begin with the district’s technology coordinator. It would not bee too difficult for this person to work with teachers and aides on Internet etiquette, search strategies and evaluation techniques. The technology coordinator should provide ongoing staff development for Internet use on a regular basis. This training should cover basic rules of Internet etiquette, search strategies, database use, web site evaluation and basic computer skills. The training should also be flexible enough to accommodate varying skill levels, changes in curriculum and advances in technology. Doug Johnson recommends teaching children the three P’s for searching the Internet. Number one is privacy, "I will protect my privacy and respect the privacy of others." Two is property, "I will protect my property and respect the property of others." Three is appropriate, "I will use technology in constructive ways…" Why not start out by teaching teachers the three P’s?

I am also a firm believer in Internet filters in schools and I believe that technology coordinators should be responsible for explaining the details of their school’s filtering system to teachers. I am certain that most teachers are unaware of what sites their school’s filter blocks. I believe that elementary and middle school students should be protected from tapping into inappropriate web sites. However, for high school students I can see how they might need access to more controversial sites in which case I would support a password system that would allow these students access to certain sites for educational use only.

The Internet has become an important part of today’s students education. It allows them access to mounds of information at the click of the mouse. The ability to access this information is a huge privilege. In order for students to get the most out of this privilege we must train our teachers to facilitate good, responsible, discriminating searches.

Works Cited

Healy, J. (1998, October 7). "The ‘Meme’ That Ate Childhood." Education Week.

Retrieved October 8, 2003 from www.edweek.org/ew/1998/o6healy.h18

Johnson, D. (2003). "Freedom and Filters." Library Media Connection. 21,110.

Retrieved October 8, 2003 from Academic Search Premier


				*Tina Henderson Woodward* *Internet philosophy*



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		Personal Internet Philosophy I think that Internet use in schools is an important part of a student’s educational experience. I also think the greatest problem with Internet use in schools is the lack of Internet savvy teachers. How can we expect students to conduct logical searches, use proper Internet etiquette and be mindful of copyright laws if teachers do not teach them these skills? Jane Healy spent two years visiting classrooms to observe students an d computer use an d in her travels she discovered "too many ill-informed software choices; inadequate teacher preparation; children engaging in idle clicking, game-playing, and silly surfing; lack of relevance to curriculum" and much more. In many cases, students know more about computers and the Internet than their teachers, this simply must change! So what needs to be done in order to make sure students use the Internet in the most proper but beneficial way? The answer is more (or better) teacher training. I seriously doubt that most teachers or teacher’s aides know how to teach search strategies, search a database or evaluate a web site. These skills are a must in order for students to get the most out of their Internet experience. If teacher training were a priority, I believe districts would get the most out of their brand new computers and more importantly, students would receive better instruction. I think that teacher/Internet training should begin with the district’s technology coordinator. It would not bee too difficult for this person to work with teachers and aides on Internet etiquette, search strategies and evaluation techniques. The technology coordinator should provide ongoing staff development for Internet use on a regular basis. This training should cover basic rules of Internet etiquette, search strategies, database use, web site evaluation and basic computer skills. The training should also be flexible enough to accommodate varying skill levels, changes in curriculum and advances in technology. Doug Johnson recommends teaching children the three P’s for searching the Internet. Number one is privacy, "I will protect my privacy and respect the privacy of others." Two is property, "I will protect my property and respect the property of others." Three is appropriate, "I will use technology in constructive ways…" Why not start out by teaching teachers the three P’s? I am also a firm believer in Internet filters in schools and I believe that technology coordinators should be responsible for explaining the details of their school’s filtering system to teachers. I am certain that most teachers are unaware of what sites their school’s filter blocks. I believe that elementary and middle school students should be protected from tapping into inappropriate web sites. However, for high school students I can see how they might need access to more controversial sites in which case I would support a password system that would allow these students access to certain sites for educational use only. The Internet has become an important part of today’s students education. It allows them access to mounds of information at the click of the mouse. The ability to access this information is a huge privilege. In order for students to get the most out of this privilege we must train our teachers to facilitate good, responsible, discriminating searches. Works Cited Healy, J. (1998, October 7). "The ‘Meme’ That Ate Childhood." Education Week. Retrieved October 8, 2003 from www.edweek.org/ew/1998/o6healy.h18 Johnson, D. (2003). "Freedom and Filters." Library Media Connection. 21,110. Retrieved October 8, 2003 from Academic Search Premier



		Tina Henderson Woodward