What Are Your Goals?

WIT 2001	Managing the Use of the Internet in the Classroom
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WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS?

It is important to remember that the use of any assistive technology (from calculators, overhead projectors, video cassette recorders, cd players, to palm pilots, cell phones and computers) must be driven by the needs of your students. You must find what works best for you in meeting the needs of your students - this is best realized through reflecting on and articulating your teaching goals and determining which goals can be enhanced through the usage of the Internet.

Here are a few ideas to get you on your way. There is an interesting article entitled "The Internet's Impact in the Classroom" that you may wish to read prior to beginning the process of defining your goals.

An internet connected computer in your classroom can assist with:

Collaboration

• enhancing your communication with parents, colleagues, and students
• communication opportunities the world over
• bringing the world to your classroom
• accessing instructional resources from all over the globe
• communicating with experts or other classrooms studying the same information

Teaching

• cooperative learning situations
• engaging learning activities
• developing critical thinking among your students
• creating additional learning opportunities for children who have special needs
• on-line newspapers and magazines
• accessing historical primary source documents
• accessing familiar sites that you have bookmarked for reference puposes
• bringing the world to your classroom
• accessing instructional resources from all over the globe
• publishing your students' works
• virtual field trips almost anywhere in the world

Student Learning

• up to date research information
• accessing historical primary source documents
• on-line newspapers and magazines
• collaborating with other students studying the same information
• searches for information
• sharing work with students all over the world
• virtual field trips almost anywhere in the world

The possibilities for the use of the Internet in the classroom are endless. As you gain experience with using the Internet to support your teaching, you will feel more comfortable implementing new ideas.

Click here to access a form on which you can record your ideas for using the Internet to assist your teaching. A pdf version of the same form is available here.

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