Journal Article Review

Keeping students safe and student achievement are the top priorities of a school system when dealing with the Internet. According to Research and Guidelines for Children’s Use of the Internet, the benefits of Internet use outweighs any negative experience. The author found that parents and children alike find the Internet a positive and favorable experience for learning. Students and teachers can find information over the Internet. The Internet is like having a library at your fingers. Not only can you find information over the Internet, but you can use it as a teaching tool. The Internet can be a tool for student learning and communication between school and families. Use of the Internet in school can also bridge the learning gap for low income families. The article states that the Internet is here to stay. Internet usage is on the rise. The article states that the main reason parents buy a computer is to connect to the Internet. Using the Internet as a resource now will only benefit schools. Rules and limits must be set for students to follow. Guidance is important when dealing with children and the Internet. Children should be taught not to give out personal information. Educators need to provide their students(and parents of) education-related Web sites to visit. Provide online help for students who need tutoring. Finally the article states that school Web sites need to be accessible, frequently updated, and they should provide examples of student work.

I agree that the use of the Internet is important in children’s learning. There are many benefits of its use. An entire art class could visit a museum without leaving school. The teacher can access museum websites for the class to view. A Van Gogh painting can be see with the click of a button. Children need to know the ins and outs of Internet use though. Technology is here to stay. People are using it everywhere; at work and in play. It would be a disservice not to use the Internet for educational purposes. The Internet possesses a vast amount of good information. This information may not be available otherwise for our students. Children should be given the opportunity to use that information for their education. Some students are connecting to the Internet at home for educational purposes. Those who are not, need to be given the same opportunities in school. This can help bridge the educational gap for those who are not as fortunate. Yet dealing with the Internet can be a frightening. It is so vast and difficult to monitor. How do you keep everyone of your students form visiting sites that are not appropriate? How do you monitor students on the Internet and students that are doing another activity? Schools need to provide teachers with the proper Internet skills. Although this is costly, educators will benefit from computer and Internet training. When an educator knows how to handle certain situations involving the Internet, students will benefit also.

Research and Guidelines for Children’s Use of the Internet, (2000). 2/18/03, from http://www.nsbf.org/safe-smart/full-report.htm