Importance of Internet Resources in Education

The Internet is one of the most important, if not the most important resource for learning in today’s educational environment. Technology is continuing to grow and I don’t think it’s going to be sparse anytime soon.  As a science teacher, teaching 5^th-8^th grade science throughout the day I rely on the Internet as my main resource for teaching. Starting out in our school we didn’t have many resources for science to be a substantial impact on the students. The Internet has given me the opportunity to do labs and resources that I wouldn’t be able to reach when I am teaching the different areas for science. For example, we were doing chemical reactions in one of my classes. There are no burners, graduated cylinders, or test tubes to test the different types of reactions. Online, through a virtual lab, they were able to complete the entire lesson along with understanding the concept. It may not be as hands on as they would like, but the virtual lab was so realistic to doing it in real life that it was incredible to see how the students reacted to the concept.  Not only can I use them in science, but also in reading and social studies. A coworker used the Internet to create an iMovie about the books they were reading. To take it to the next level they had to use the Internet to create a brochure (poster form) about their book and dress up like the main character in their story.  They have completely revolutionized the way we can use Internet resources for book reports. Another coworker used the Internet for a project on the Civil War. She had her students researching different facts and people of the time and creates a project. If we didn’t have these Internet resources what would we do? We would be in encyclopedias and newspapers (that we can now get online) and be limited on the information we get for these types of projects. Internet resources are so important for the students to learn in their education. It gets the students more engaged and ready to perform. I can say that I am paperless. (except this unit in science, I can’t figure out how to get it all on the computer) My quizzes, worksheets, assignments, journals are all online and the students are more willing to do their homework because they get to use their computers. Not only that, it makes my grading a lot easier. Now, instead of bringing back three bags full of books, papers, grading books, and folders, I am taking my laptop home and grading my papers, putting them on the grade book online and communicating my grades to parents and students through their email. It has changed my life as a teacher and I appreciate and value Internet resources in education.

-j