The Internet?!
what://is.this.thing/~anyway
Aaron Hamann
Sept. 2, 1999
C I 405
In today’s day and age, the technology and communication boom is growing exponentially by the second. We, as educators of the world’s future leaders, are required to give them the tools and skills necessary to survive in this ever-changing world. In order for us to effectively do this we too must stay on top of what is happening in the world of big business, especially the technological world. One of the largest, most recent explosions we have been challenged with is that communication tool known as the Internet.
I feel as though the Internet is a network of connections that allows people all over the world to exchange ideas and thoughts in split seconds through the use of telephone, cable, or fiber optic lines. By “hooking up” to this connection, people are opening more doors and quicker resources for themselves. The Internet provides a fast, highly efficient way of exchanging any kind of information with people miles away without having to wait a long period of time for replies or middle men. It allows people to actively interact instead of relying on the written word or calling on the telephone. Essentially, the Internet seems to be a boundless tool for people with access to it and for those who know how to effectively utilize it.
“Surfing the Web” is an activity that many people have experienced and enjoyed, myself included. I feel that even though the Internet has expanded so fast without lots of preparation, it is going to be successful and is being used by many diverse groups of people. From high stress business workers to private citizens, wealthy individuals to underprivileged youth, anyone who has access to it can benefit from the Internet. I love to use it for schoolwork or entertainment, and everyday I find something new that makes me think “Wow!!”
One problem that I see with the Internet is getting its capabilities to everyone. At first, Internet usage was too expensive for some and too technical for people to completely understand. Thankfully it has become more affordable and much more user-friendly, not requiring people to be overly technical to be able to use it in its most basic forms. This has helped bridge the gap between Joe User and the superhighway of information.
In my opinion, the Internet use by common citizens was something that the government did not expect. I think that its existence was unknown to everybody but a few federal government workers. Somehow the information got leaked or hacked into and some computer geek somewhere learned how to use it. Eventually he leaked this knowledge to his geek friends and from there it continued to expand and grow until Corporate America became aware of it. They decided to exploit it, like everything else, and it is now in the hands of anyone willing to take part.
As a future educator, the Internet is something that I will be dealing with on a daily basis when I enter the workplace. What I decide to do with my knowledge and skills is up to me, but I feel as though I must be highly motivated and prepared to use it, or else I may end up being left in the dust before I even begin my travels. Without the skills and understanding of technology, and more specifically the Internet, my ability to be a better teacher is impaired. If I study it and learn how to effectively use it, I will be able to better prepare my students for the advanced world that they will someday have to survive in.
Using the Internet in the classroom is becoming easier for educators as more and more software is assisting in the implementation of it. By allowing it to be used in almost any type of learning environment, the Internet is going to become more commonplace to everyone. It is going to be something that children grow up with. I remember talking to my grandmother, a retired teacher, about technology. She helped me realize its place in the world by reminding me that she grew up without a T.V., VCR, or microwave. Compare this to me who grew up without knowing life without these.
Computers are definitely here to stay and the use of the Internet is making its niche in the world. I’m glad it’s available to me and I plan on utilizing it in my future to its fullest potential. I also hope to bring it to as many students as I can and help them become better prepared for the boom that is going to continue for years to come.
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