By:  Karen Roof
June 11, 2003
 
Article Critique #1
 
The article I read was titled Gateways to the Internet:  A Host of Companies
Want to be Your District's Customized Education Portal, by Kevin Busheweller.
 
 The article commences with a brief description of a Denver Public School's experience with KickSTART.com, an education portal through which students, teachers and administrators at the school would pass as they accessed the internet.  Soon after signing an agreement with KickSTART.com, the Denver school was informed that the company had gone under.  According to author Kevin Bushweller, this is only one reason that schools must be selective in whom they choose as portal providers.  Another reason involves the fact that many corporatations simply attempt to capture the minds of young school children as they seek access online.  With so many companies competing as online gateways for educators, it is important that educational facilities maintain caution when entering into an agreement with an online company. 
 
 Tailored to meet the needs of educational facilities, portals provide links to educational services and resources.  Because portals often are accessed by young students as they log onto the internet, it is important for educators to monitor companies in their attempts to advertise to children.  Also significant is the need for teachers to evaluate any lesson plans they find through the gateway portals.  Although many schools have experienced problems with portal companies, the portals potentially have a significant positive impact on the way in which education is delivered to schools.
 
 Overall I found the article to be quite informative and interesting.  Previous to my reading Bushweller's essay, I had little knowledge as to what a portal involved.  I agree with the author in his statement that such gateways online have the potential to make a positive effect on both students and teachers.  Through valid portals students may access educational resources to help them with their studies; parents may locate tutoring services; and teachers may select helpful lesson plans and other educational tools to utilize in their classrooms.  Like Bushweller, however, I also realize the significance of the administration's monitoring of its educational portal.  A company should not be permitted to take advantage of young minds through colorful and tempting advertisements, nor should the portal contain links to sites that may distract students from their goal of a better education. 
 
Work cited
 
Bushweller, Kevin. (2003, June). Gateways to the Internet: A Host of Companies Want to be  Your District's Customized Education Portal. American Schoolboard Journal.  Retrieved June 10, 2003 from http://www.asbj.com/2000/11/1100technologyfocus.html.