post #5

1.)   I think in a classroom the Internet can be a very important tool for learning. It can be very useful when teaching students how to use computers. Also, when using foreign sources of information the Internet is a great tool for accessing them. The more familiar that the students can become with using the Internet as a tool, then the more capable they are of using it as a reference tool.

2.)   In my classroom I would use the Internet in many different ways. You could create a web hunt that would help the familiarize the students with the Internet. It would also help to use assignments that involve online sources such as Wikipedia, Encarta, etc. Eventually the goal would be to teach the students enough so that they would be using the Internet as reference tool on every assignment.

3.)   I am worried about becoming a teacher specializing in technology environments because the job opportunities are diminishing. While the need for technology is increasing, it is becoming more and more incorporated by the regular homeroom teacher. Thus the opportunities for teacher specializing in only that field are diminishing, especially at the elementary school level, which is where I am hoping to get a job.