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STUDENTS: Technology's Value to Me (r)

(written by iearn@iearn.org, 03/25/1996)

>From   Sat Mar 23 16:29:36 1996

Topic 2, Question A:

I believe that the Internet in its CURRENT incarnation has
limited value as an educational tool.  Certainly it is important
that students are educated about the Internet, but that is not what
the question asks.  In its current state, the Internet is far too
large and disorganized to be of practical use in the classroom.
True, there is a great deal of information available online, but
the reliability of information retrieved is at best questionable.
To top that off, often it is very difficult to sift through
the great quantity of information available.  And even then it is
still quite difficult to find relevant information in the first
place!  So, most students end up spending lots of time for small
results in using the Internet as a resource.  However, I believe
in the years to come the Internet will play a crucial role in the
classroom as better ways of organizing and accessing information
on the Internet are developed.  And, video teleconferencing will
no doubt become widely used to link classrooms across the nation
and the world for the sharing of ideas and information.  As more
and more information sources go online, with perhaps a more
centralized organizational entity to place a little control over
the Net, the Net's value as a resource tool and educational
facility will skyrocket.

Topic 2, Question B

Quite honestly, if all goes well I don't think the Internet
will have a great deal of relevance with respect to my career.  As
an aspiring actor, I do not foresee any direct connections to the
'Net in the near future.  Oh yeah, I forgot, I CAN get scripts from
the Internet.  Hence, working with the Internet has not helped me
in preparation for what I HOPE will be my career. However, I'm also
interested in the prospect of becoming a teacher.  In this
case, my response to the question "A" of topic 2 serves as an example
of how important my current training in the Net will be if I am to
become a teacher.

B.C. Nelson - grade 12
Cold Spring Harbor HS
New York