S Lyon's Technology Blogs

Using the Internet in the Classroom

Description

According to Webopedia (http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/I/Internet.html), the Internet is a ?global network connecting millions of computers?, not to be confused with the World Wide Web which is a ?system of Internet servers that supports specially formatted documents?.  These documents are formatted using Hypertext Markup Language.

The World Wide Web boasts a multitude of readily available websites, search engines, photos, video and audio clips, and other resources.  Many people use the Internet for entertainment and financial purposes, to keep informed of local or world news, and for communicating.  Therefore, it is only logical that the use of the Internet has matriculated into education.

In the past many people may not have access to the Internet, but today access is available within the home, libraries, Internet cafes, and schools allowing more and more people to fully take advantage of all that the Internet has to offer.

Key Findings

One such way that teachers are able to take full advantage of the Internet is by creating WebQuest for students.  A WebQuest is an ?inquiry-oriented activity in which most or all of the information used by learners is drawn from the Web? (http://edweb.sdsu.edu/webquest/overview.htm). 

Bernie Dodge discusses five general guidelines in his article ?Five Rules for Writing a Great WebQuest?.  These rules include finding great sites to use, orchestrating the learners and resources, challenging the learners to think, proper use of the medium, and scaffolding high expectations from the learner.  With the guidelines, a teacher should be able to design and properly implement WebQuests into any curriculum.

It is important for students to practice accurate researching techniques.  Student should not take for granted the information presented on the Internet after a search using one of many search engines.  It is necessary for students to understand the importance is checking the reliability and credibility of the source prior to confidently using it as a valid source.  If students are not taught to pay attention to where to source originated and only rely on the fact that it was the first or second item from a search using a popular search engine, then they are not likely to pay attention to the credibility of the source.  By using WebQuests, teachers are able to guide students in their research of a specified subject or topic through prearranged websites that they are familiar with and have previously researched. 

Through WebQuests, teachers can also lead students to sites that allow them to discuss topics with professionals.  For example, if students are studying and researching forensic science, a teacher may find a site where students can ask questions of a forensic scientist.

Another resource the Internet provides is online digital archives.  According to Mark Hofer?s ?Online Digital Archives?, a digital archive is ?a web-based collection of a wide variety of digital media focused around a common topic?.  He also states that ?for digital archives to effectively support teaching and learning, activities must be structured in a way to leverage the potential of these resources in ways that are meaningful for students?.  By incorporating digital archives into the curriculum, students can find more meaning in the subject or topic being discussed.

Reflection

I think the Internet is an excellent source for students and teachers not only for communicating and personal research, but also as a resource in the classroom.  As I stated about, there are many sites and resources available for implementation.  Personally, I use the Internet everyday.  I am constantly communicating with family and friends as well as researching new ideas for the classroom.  I have used the Internet within my curriculum and look forward to better improving my activities with WebQuests, digital archives and telecollaboration.

I currently have a project were students investigate crimes using mathematics such as using Newton?s Law of Cooling to determine whether a vehicle was turned off when a hit and run suspect said it was and using linear functions to determine the height of a person based on the length of bones such as the femur bone.  This ?CSI Project? also includes the students investigating the history and laboratory units of the FBI.  I currently use the websites http://www.fbi.gov/kids/6th12th/6th12th.htm and http://www.fbi.gov/hq/lab/org/labchart.htm to have the students research the history and a specific unit such as the Chemistry Unit.  Using the first website, the students answer a list of questions as they read over a case and the history of the FBI.  Then the students use the second website as one of several sources to research their unit.  The students then present the unit to the class using a PowerPoint presentation or some other method to present their information.

As I read the articles on WebQuests and digital archives, I thought this would be a good change to the project.  I could set up a WebQuest FBI sites and forensics as well as include video clips and photos to enhance the research.  I began searching for digital archives and ideas of a WebQuest, but was not as successful with my search as I had hoped.  I did look at one of the sites suggested by one of my group members http://www.pbs.org/teachersource/math.htm where they had a lesson plan that included a interactive case and video.  However, I was unable to finalize my plans for this addition before my project began last week so for this semester, I have used the same sites as before, but I look forward to incorporating a WebQuest to this project.