The Global Classroom by Cathy Buckingham

Concerns About Integrating the Internet Into the Classroom: Developing Discriminating Users and Evaluating Internet Learning

     In addition to the advantages of the global classroom, one must also consider some concerns. As teachers take steps to integrate the Internet into classroom instruction, two particular concerns usually surface. One issue stems from the information explosion on the Internet. How do we teach students "what to keep and what to throw back" when surfing the Net? (Bailey, A20). Over time teachers are able to encourage students to be discriminating Internet users by teaching seven steps:

DISCRIMINATING INTERNET USERS:

1. Identify the questions you want to     answer.

2. Organize the search with bookmarks     and a list of available sites.

3. Choose the right search tools by     knowing the characteristics of various     search engines.

4. Analyze on-line sources. Is their     purpose personal, business,     education,advocacy, news, etc? Are     they credible?

5. Synthesize, sort, and sift by deciding     what are the major issues, which sites     have the strongest evidence,     and which sites say the same thing.

6. Publish new information by generating     new student web sites.

7. Get feedback from others by integrating     technology, teaching it a a tool, as a     subject, and as a means to     empowerment, because     technology-infused learning creates     in students leaders in the 21st century.

You can learn more about strategies to help teachers and students locate and evaluate information at TECH.LEARN (Crehan, 22).

     A second concern teachers commonly face is how to evaluate Internet projects. One suggestion is to use a rubric with ten categories worth four points each for a total of forty points (McCullen, 48):

RUBRIC FOR INTERNET PROJECTS:

1. Curriculum Alignment - how well did the     assignment meet with the assigned     objectives?

2. How much of the work was completed in     class (the more the better)?

3. Teamwork

4. Organization of Content

5. Originality

6. Subject Knowledge

7. Graphic Design

8. Mechanics or Conventions

9. Screen Design (good navigation if     applicable)

10. Use of Enhancements such as video,       audio, or 3-D

Although these concerns must be addressed, the advantages of using the Internet in the classroom are overwhelming.