The
Internet has great potential to enhance teaching and learning, however most
classroom uses of the Internet tend to be "research centred" tasks
that require the pupils to use a search engine to "find out about a topic".
The outcomes from such activities are often disappointing - little or no relevant
information may found; pupils can be distracted by more "interesting"
websites; the few websites that are found do not contain age appropriate material
- all of which leads to a feeling that the whole experience has been a waste
of time.
The activities below explore a number of ways that the Internet, and particularly
the World Wed Web, can used within the classroom.
The underlying principles for all these tasks are:
- That the expected outcome is achievable within the time available.
- That the task has a purpose which is clear and understood by the pupils.
- In most cases the pupils are directed to web pages, or sites, that are
known to contain relevant and appropriate materials.
- When an activity requires the pupil to use a search engine, the search
criteria is specific enough to find appropriate information.
- The teacher has visited the sites before the activity to be sure that
they are still working and that the content has not changed.
