Internet Literacy for
Educators: Ed 526
Robin Hertzler
Part I. Effects of the
Internet on Education
Positive Effects of the Internet
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Gives the opportunity for the teacher and student to take on new roles
during the learning process.
Trains our students in computer knowledge they will have to learn later in
life, since computers now play an integral part of everyday living.
Interactive learning for the students.
Offers a high availability of resources which gives information to the
students which textbooks can’t.
Encourages independent thinking while maintaining the face-to-face
communication with a teacher.
Allows teachers the opportunity to try new ways of teaching.
Encourages the role of the teacher as a facilitator instead of a lecturer.
At-risk learners may find using the Internet to learn is easier for them.
Distance-learning enables students who live in remote areas access to
reading materials and eliminates the need to travel great distances.
Enables an increase in parent/teacher communication using a grading
program such as Integrade Pro.
Negative Effects of the Internet
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Educators fear face-to-face communication(F2F) will decline thus risking a
quality education for the students.
Teachers must use the Internet as a productive tool in the classroom for it to
be effective.
Students must view the Internet as a resource rather than a place to “surf”,
e-mail, or play games on.
Some students may be incapable of the self-directed learning via the
Internet and need the F2F with the teacher.
New students entering a school with Internet Education having no prior
background may find it difficult to adjust.
Curriculum within the schools may have to be reorganized to “make room”
for Internet Education thus removing something from the current
curriculum.
The cost of having the Internet in every classroom is very expensive.
The wealthier suburban areas have the best technology because they pay
higher taxes which funds the new technology available and the poor urban
or rural areas are not able to afford incorporating the Internet into their
schools.
The cost of training teachers to have the computer knowledge necessary to
teach at their grade level.
Internet Safety
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Netiquette Rules are designed to educate the students on acceptable
Internet/school network behavior.
Firewall software is designed to protect the school network from
unauthorized access such as hackers and viruses.
Filtering Software is designed to protect students by denying access to a
list of specific sites deemed inappropriate due to language, violence,
graphics, and/or other content.
Most students use the Internet for school research. Therefore it is important
that the students understand the necessity of website evaluation including
the author, validity, and accuracy of the site.
When students "copy and paste" they do not fully understand the severity
of plagiarism.
It is the responsibility of the teacher to monitor the students’ use of the
Internet.
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Sources
Internet Safety in the Classroom :
http://edtech2.boisestate.edu/houstong/EdTech580/internet_safety_i
n_the_classroom.htm
Education and the Internet:
http://socserv.mcmaster.ca/soc/courses/stpp4C03/ClassEssay/educa
tion.htm
Part 2:
Blogs
Blogs
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Web + Log = weblog
or “we blog”
Can be created easily
Can be easily updated
Blogging is as easy as
e-mailing
Visitors make
comments on blogs.
www.technorati.com
What is a Blog?
•blog(n.)A weblog.
•blog(v.)To write entries in, add material to, or maintain a weblog.
•A weblog is a website where entries are written to provide
commentary or news on a variety of subjects such as food, politics, or
local news.
•Some weblogs are primarily used as online personal diaries.
•Most weblogs combine text, images, and links to other blogs and web
sites related to the subject.
•Most blogs are primarily textual.
•Blogging combines a personal web page with links to other pages.
•Weblog search engines allow bloggers to track threads that connect to
others with similar interests.
Benefits of Blogging for Kids
•Comminication and sharing ideas
•Teach parents and peers about new technology
•Learn how to be computer safety “smart.”
•Learning how to keep a journal while using responsibility
and discipline
•Creates an outlet for their creativity
•Learning new computer and internet technologies
•Improve typing, writing, spelling and editing skills.
Sources
Education World: Log On to a Blog:
http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/voice/voice123.shtml
History of Blogging:
http://nymag.com/news/media/15971/
Definition of Blogging:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blog
Part 3:
Hoaxes and Frauds
Internet Hoax
•A hoax is a threat of something that is not real.
•Computer hoax’s can be sent through chain letter emails or newsgroups.
•They are created to be sent to everyone you know.
•They prey on people with little technology.
•Usually are a threat to peoples’ computers that don’t
actually exist.
•Warns people not to open an e-mail. Note:
OPENING AN E-MAIL CAN NOT ACTIVATE A
VIRUS. A PROGRAM MUST BE EXECUTED.
Internet Fraud
"Internet fraud" : “Refers to any type of fraud scheme that
uses one or more online services - such as chat rooms, email, message boards, or Web sites - to present fraudulent
solicitations to prospective victims, to conduct fraudulent
transactions, or to transmit the proceeds of fraud to financial
institutions or to others connected with the scheme.”
•Phishing is the sending of fraudulent e-mails designed to
get consumers to go to fraudulent websites ( very realistic
looking websites) for the purpose of stealing credit card
numbers and other valuable information.
•A web site ( http://www.lookstoogoodtobetrue.com ) will
provide consumers with Internet Fraud awareness.
Fraud Tips
•The Internet Fraud Complaint Center is designed to address
fraud committed over the internet.
•Guard your personal information.
•Read user agreements. Be cautious downloading websites you
are not familiar with.
•Credit Cards are the safest way to pay for merchandise.
RESOURCES
Computer hoaxes:
http://www.justbajan.com/computer/tips/viruses/prnt.htm
Virus FAQS:
http://www.trincoll.edu/depts/cc/virus.htm
ComputerFraud:
http://www.jmu.edu/computing/security/index.shtml#virus
Internet Fraud Reporting:
http://www.windhampolice.com/internet_fraud.htm#SCAM
Fraud Tips:
http://www.fraud.org/internet/intset.htm