However, access speeds often hinder the ability of schools to effectively link to the Internet. To address this need, King and the centre's management committee are working to develop Intranets in schools in their district. An Intranet is like a private Internet existing and operating on a school, district, or company internal computer network. The function and speed of the Intranet is not dependent on the connection to the Internet. Intranet technology offers an emergent tool set that will enhance and foster collaboration, engage learners with a relevant and media-rich presentation, and provide teachers with curriculum resources that are immediately accessible.
Intranets offer the ability to teach students Internet skills without an Internet connection.
Lesson plans, media, email, resources for classroom presentation, and primary and secondary research documents are only a click of a mouse away. The resources can be arranged for a single project, a class, a department, a school or for district-wide application. Teachers and students can assist in the design and implementation of much of the information. The TEC will offer an institute this summer to educators interested in developing an Intranet in their school. When the school Intranets are in place, King hopes to connect the Intranets to produce a district-wide Intranet.