The Internet in Education

The Internet is called the World Wide Web, and it is just that. Anyone in the world can put anything and view anything on it. Is this a tool or a weapon for education? Like most things it is not clear. The tool side of the Internet is having endless information, points of view, and mass media at the tips of your fingers. It can also be accessed from virtually anywhere in the world. The Internet has turned all night running from floor to floor in the library into hours sitting in a chair at a computer printing off the information that may or may not be in books. Convenience is one thing the Internet has brought to education. Another positive would be the added communication. Points of view can be found everywhere on the Internet. Chat rooms and programs like AOL and MSN allow students to connect with people in the next class or someone half way around the world. Pen pals can now be in an instant message, allowing students to receive immediate answers to questions they have. The problem side of all this is that students are exposed to everything anyone puts onto the Internet. Not only inappropriate content, but also inaccurate and non-supported information students may see as fact. Sources are endless on the Internet; therefore, distinguishing between "good" and "bad" sources is a must. Teaching students how to do this and then how to accurately site their sources is something that every teacher in this day of age must make sure they are doing. Thus, teaching students how to use the Internet responsibly and in a positive manner.