Teacher training in science and mathematics at the elementary education level tends to be lacking, especially in New Mexico. Internet access and concomitant training of teachers provide a valuable curricular resource since lesson plans and appropriate guidance tools are proliferating rapidly in the Internet. We conducted regular training sessions for teachers and selected students. Perhaps the biggest complaint teachers have about new technologies is that of too little training on how to use the technology in the classroom. In recognition of this problem, we provided extensive training on the basics of Internet and on how to use the capabilities of Internet to promote learning.
Internet is only a tool and, as such, can be used both effectively and ineffectively.
Parents are key partners in a successful program allowing student access to Internet resources. For those parents who home-school their children, we provided computer access through the local public library. Whether at the public library or at a school library, we made it the responsibility of the librarian to maintain student and teacher accounts and also security. Issues of net etiquette, copyright law and parental consent were dealt with at this level. If computer connectivity is the backbone of this project, tutoring and mentoring are its flesh and blood.