The Internet is the vehicle that makes possible global communication and information access to promote situated learning in the classroom context. The Internet provides a gateway for a host of authentic experiences. Never before have students in classrooms had such easy access to information and help from such a variety of experts in their fields. Children as early as at the primary level can start to use e-mail to communicate with children in other parts of the world. They can exchange information about their local environments, classroom activities, and projects.
Students can use a map and plot the locations of people with whom they have communicated.
A child writing a short story can submit a piece of work to a professional author via e-mail and receive feedback on his or her work through the Internet. The Internet also serves as a vast information and reference source as well as carrying news sites that are updated daily. With the Internet, information is current and readily available. Obtaining new and current information makes the learning experience more authentic and exciting for the student. The Internet allows the opportunity to extend learning to include studying one that is happening right now by searching the Internet news sources or any of the numerous weather Web sites.