Use of the Internet for classroom research fosters inquiry through access to timely information. Promising practices using the Internet abound. We know students can learn from Internet-based instruction. Table 1 gives some examples of how students can learn from Internet access, communication, collaboration, and dissemination of their work. Students control the direction of their learning.
Students use the Internet for exploration and research.
The Information Age is upon us. We know the Internet affects student learning, but the research is still ongoing about how teachers adopt telecommunications and use it to enrich teaching and learning. Through our evaluations of several educational technology initiatives, we have found that teachers generally go through four distinct stages as they develop expertise with the Internet and the World Wide Web. On the other hand, those who value their newfound skills, who do not let their frustrations get in their way, and who always keep their desired outcomes in sight, succeed in creating a learning environment in which their students can polish their meta-skills and produce exemplary, creative products and performances. At each of these stages, there are certain strategies that work.