Internet Integration

INTERNET INTEGRATION

Internet integration into the classroom is a great way to foster learning while delivering relevant and interesting lessons. There are numerous ways of incorporating Internet use into a classroom; however, this integration should be thoroughly scrutinized. No tool should be integrated into a classroom without first ensuring that it will be an effective and safe means of instructional delivery. This essay will introduce three such internet-based activities, along with the type of learning each activity fosters. Finally, using background research each activity will be analyzed as to whether the learning is meaningful.

The foremost internet-based activity for classroom use that fosters student learning is research exercises. Internet research has many benefits and a few drawbacks. A wealth of information can be accessed instantly from a computer with Internet access. Research can be accomplished from many locations, such as one's home or classroom. With the enormous volume of literature online, hours and hours spent in a library are no longer needed. The Internet makes it possible to have easy access to many university libraries. If the book or journal is not published online, a summary or abstract is often available to help one determine whether or not it is worth checking out from the library. Many research articles include contact information such as email or mailing addresses. The Internet has made the research process less time consuming and less burdensome. However, too much information can make it difficult to determine what material is relevant and what material should be omitted. Although this may not seem to be a significant drawback, it can be very time consuming.

A student that is engaged in researching a topic is actively involved in his or her learning. Research of a topic can confirm what one knows and build upon prior knowledge. Use of research in teaching promotes the use of higher order thinking skills. Using Bloom's Taxonomy, outcomes of learning for this type of activity would fall in the 'analysis', 'synthesis', or 'evaluation' level. According to W. Huitt (2004), "research has shown that students remember more when they have learned to handle the topic at the higher levels of the taxonomy. This is because more elaboration is required, a principle of learning based on finding from the information processing approach to learning."

Virtual labs can be implemented into the classroom using the Internet as well. This is a wonderful tool when laboratory equipment is not available or the scope of the experiment/study is not feasible due to time constraints, location, or sample size. Sometimes the laboratory setup is so time consuming that this overshadows any benefits of learning that take place. Students may get wrapped up in the process / procedures and miss the concepts. Virtual labs engage many of the same types of learning as actual laboratory experiments. Testing and evaluating skills are definitely used. Again, using Bloom's taxonomy the learning level reached would be 'analysis', 'synthesis' and 'evaluation'. Is the learning meaningful? Yes, as with internet-based research, this activity promotes the use of higher order thinking skills. This activity calls for hands-on and inquiry, both of which foster meaningful learning.

The final internet-based activity addressed is the use of Webquests in the classroom. According to AT&T Knowledge Ventures, "a webquest