The Internet and the World Wide Web in Education
The
internet as defined by Boettcher and Conrad (1999) is a global network which
when it is intertwined with other networks produces what is known as the
internet. The internet is the connectivity which makes it possible to provide
the software tools and materials through the World Wide Web (WWW) as it
supports administrative and learning tasks. Therefore the interlinked documents
which can be sourced via the internet is identified as the World Wide Web.
The authenticity of information within the realm of education is of vital importance to students and so it cannot be overemphasized. As teachers we need to not only build an awareness but also to ensure that students are taught, guided and given the necessary tools as they navigate the web in an effort to develop critical research skills.
Consequently, as educators we also know that students will not be able to surf the web on their own and would need the support of teachers to teach them how to use and extract the relevant information which they require from the internet sites to complete assignments. This skill is a skill which has to be taught to students. As educators we play a critical role in helping students validate information as they research, utilize and verify accurate information to avoid plagiarism as they construct and take responsibility for their own learning. This can be done by developing, installing and evaluating internet safety programmes which would filter and block off irrelevant information from filtering through.
Also, as educators we need to make students aware that everyone has access to the WWW and as such anyone can set up a site and compile bogus information and place it there. As a result, students should be aware that not all information found on the internet is authentic and can be validated since the internet can also be considered to be a place of lawlessness. In addition, students need to be taught how to identify certain key elements when sourcing credible information for example does the document have an author, is it original, and is the citation referenced just to name a few. Students should also be instructed to use the information which they obtain from sites such as .gov, .edu and .org sites which are creditable sites and compare it with other sites such as .com and Wikipedia sites to validate the authenticity of the information.
However, as teachers we also need to make sure that the students adhere to internet safety guidelines in an effort to keep them safe as they interact with the World Wide Web.
The authenticity of information within the realm of education is of vital importance to students and so it cannot be overemphasized. As teachers we need to not only build an awareness but also to ensure that students are taught, guided and given the necessary tools as they navigate the web in an effort to develop critical research skills.
Consequently, as educators we also know that students will not be able to surf the web on their own and would need the support of teachers to teach them how to use and extract the relevant information which they require from the internet sites to complete assignments. This skill is a skill which has to be taught to students. As educators we play a critical role in helping students validate information as they research, utilize and verify accurate information to avoid plagiarism as they construct and take responsibility for their own learning. This can be done by developing, installing and evaluating internet safety programmes which would filter and block off irrelevant information from filtering through.
Also, as educators we need to make students aware that everyone has access to the WWW and as such anyone can set up a site and compile bogus information and place it there. As a result, students should be aware that not all information found on the internet is authentic and can be validated since the internet can also be considered to be a place of lawlessness. In addition, students need to be taught how to identify certain key elements when sourcing credible information for example does the document have an author, is it original, and is the citation referenced just to name a few. Students should also be instructed to use the information which they obtain from sites such as .gov, .edu and .org sites which are creditable sites and compare it with other sites such as .com and Wikipedia sites to validate the authenticity of the information.
However, as teachers we also need to make sure that the students adhere to internet safety guidelines in an effort to keep them safe as they interact with the World Wide Web.
References
Boettcher, J. V.,& Conrad, R. M. (1999). Faculty guide for moving teaching and learning to
the web.Mission Viejo, CA: League for Innovation in the Community College.
EDTK2030, Information and communication technology in education. (2013). Unit 3: Use of
the internet and the World Wide Web in education. UWI open campus.
Boettcher, J. V.,& Conrad, R. M. (1999). Faculty guide for moving teaching and learning to
the web.Mission Viejo, CA: League for Innovation in the Community College.
EDTK2030, Information and communication technology in education. (2013). Unit 3: Use of
the internet and the World Wide Web in education. UWI open campus.