Depending on the participants, this might include basic information about how a computer works, what a modem is and how it works, what the Internet is, and what a browser is. Each participant will learn to use a basic e-mail program such as PINE or Eudora , will compose and send messages to someone who will immediately respond, and then will send messages to other participants. They will also practice sending files, and will subscribe to a listserv. For homework, participants prepare 5 short Web site reviews and a lesson plan and bring these in sufficient copies for all participants and instructors to the second day of training. Also, discussion of opportunities, content, and resources discovered which might be useful to other participants, their colleagues, or their students.
Participants also pass out and discuss their Web site reviews.
Selection of Participants I recommend using a written application process to select participants so that the training will be of most benefit. Unfortunately, teachers are sometimes promised hardware, software, or Internet accounts which do not materialize until months later, if at all, and participants soon forget skills learned in training when they cannot be applied. So it is important that they already have an Internet account when they apply for training. Participants also need to identify their needs or purposes for learning to use the Internet. Without compelling purposes teachers often do not persevere to overcome the obstacles in learning or using these electronic tools.