The Value of Internet Resources for Education

Technology is continually becoming more common and important in the classroom each year. There are so many activities and projects that can more easily be incorporated into lessons in the classroom with the use of technology. Many Internet resources are available through technology that would otherwise remain unseen and unable to be used by students around the world. Access to Internet resources allows teachers to widen the range of their teaching ability, expand the knowledge of their students, and accommodate the different learning styles of the students in their classrooms. I have always enjoyed using technology and am constantly amazed by the different tools and activities I discover that can be integrated into classroom lessons.

Technology is a large part of our students' lives. They have access to so many different varieties of technology. Whether they are playing an online video game or surfing the web, students have the world at their fingertips. By using Internet resources in the classroom, teachers help their students make connections between what they are learning in class and the real world. They have access to so much information that they can use for research, class projects, and homework etc. Students no longer have to check out books from the library to find credible sources for a project or have to figure out how to cite their sources in a paper. All of this information is available for them on the Internet. More importantly, since our students have grown up using the Internet, why shouldn't teachers use it as much as possible in the classroom? Shouldn't a third grader be able to use a website that quizzes them orally on their spelling words? Shouldn't a kindergartner be able to use a website that helps them strengthen their reading skills? If our students are equipped to use these kinds of resources, isn't it important that we take full advantage of the endless possibilities of the Internet?

One of the most important roles of the teacher is to make sure that they are up to speed with the different Internet resources that are available. In order to make an impact on our students, we must possess a vast knowledge of the different Internet resources that are available and beneficial in the field of education. This will require many teachers to attend in-services and classes to build upon their knowledge so they are able to keep up with their students and the ever changing field of technology. It is also important for teachers to demonstrate to their students how to use technology effectively in the classroom. Since students have access to so much information, it is important that they are able to evaluate and find credible resources to use. Most students know a lot, but may not be aware of some of the basics of using the Internet. It is important for teachers to inform their students about Internet safety and website credibility. Students should be aware of the different domain names (.gov, .com, .org, .net, and .edu etc.) and sources (search engines, meta-search engines, and databases etc.) that are available on the Internet. This knowledge will allow them to recognize the importance of finding and using valuable resources on the Internet.

As teachers, students rely on us to continue to makes strives in the field of education. By finding ways to use Internet resources in our classroom instruction and the education of our students, we will continue to make strides in the field of education. The use of Internet resources in the classroom opens the door of opportunity for our students and provides them with endless possibilities for creativity and educational growth.