Chapter Two

Communications, Networks, the Internet, and the World Wide Web

Objectives:

You will be able to:

  1. Define and describe communication networks.
  2. Outline the history of the Internet and the World Wide Web.
  3. Explain how to use a Web search tool to find information.
  4. Discuss ways in which a specific Web site can be integrated in your classroom.

This is Important Because...

It has been said that adults are the immigrants in the world of technology and our students are the natives. Many adults feel like immigrants when it comes to understanding the language of computer terminology. Yet this terminology has worked its way into everyday life. As educators it is important to understand these concepts and what these terms represent.

Additionally, the Internet and World Wide Web offer educators and their students exciting new opportunities for research and learning. There is a wealth of information to be found on the Internet and the World Wide Web. However, knowing how to find that information is key. Effective search techniques, combined with using the right search engine, can save you time and improve the quality of the sites returned.

E-Mail 

E-mail is one of the most widely used forms of communication today. It is the communication method of this century. As a professional tool, e-mail allows teachers to collaborate across the globe, across the country, across the state, across the county, and across the hall.

Using e-mail in the classroom is a way to assist students in becoming communicators, collaborators, and technology capable students for the workplace. E-mail, the Internet, and the Web remove the walls of your classroom and can bring the world to your students. Visit these links to learn more about the benefits of connecting your class with other students via e-mail.

  • ePals Classroom Exchange was founded in 1996. Over 3.8 million learners from 191 countries have been connected through this project. Go to this site and register your class. You will be matched with another school group looking for e-mail pals!
  • Intercultural E-mail Classroom Connections was originally started by St. Olaf college in Minnesota and facilitates international e-mail pen-pal exchanges between k-12 classrooms.
  • The Project Center is a collection of projects from teachers for teachers to use in the classroom and is updated weekly. You can also submit a project.

Searching the Web  

Finding information on the Web requires the use of search tools. The Special Feature at the end of Chapter 2 in the textbook, starting on page 2.58, discusses search tools and how to use them effectively. Refining your search techniques will assist you with getting better results from your search. Furthermore, to get the best results from a search, it is important to use effective search techniques with the correct search tool.

Bookmarking Your Favorite Sites from the Textbook Web Site: The textbook Web site, like many other high-end Web sites, organizes the thousands of available links in a database and is set up in frames. As a result, there is a trick for bookmarking the actual Web site rather than a link to the database itself. Click here to learn how to easily bookmark your favorite sites from the textbook Web site.

Time Saver  

Multi-tasking - When you are working with more than one software program open you can easily switch between applications without minimizing one to view the other by pressing ALT+TAB (on a Macintosh, press COMMAND+TAB). For example, when you are reviewing the required Web sites, you can have both Netscape Navigator and your word processor open. After reviewing a Web site, press ALT+TAB to switch to your word processor and then begin typing your Web reflection. When you have finished, simply press ALT+TAB to jump back to the Web! Don't forget to save your word processing document before switching back to your browser.

Chapter Two Assignments

  1. Read Chapter 2 in the textbook and the supplemental information provided with this chapter.
  2. Go online to the Shelly Cashman Web site, http://www.scsite.com/tdc2/ and complete the following textbook end-of-chapter sections.

 

"Education Issues"

 

Write a 150 - 300 word reflection on Educational Issue #5 (page 2.43) “Net Censoring,” focusing on what you learned. Do not summarize the report, instead discuss ideas and significant insights and how the information can be used to support classroom integration of technology, also reflect on your personal reaction to reading the article.  Type your assignment single space with an extra line between paragraphs.   You must use Microsoft Word.

 

Send this document via the “Assignment Dropbox” DO NOT SEND VIA EMAIL.  The assignment must be submitted on or before 11:40 p.m. of the chapter's due date.

 

“In the Lab”

 

#1  -  Follow the generalized directions given on page 2.46 and modify the letter shown in Figure 2-44 as follows:

        • Create a “Welcome to School” letter using Microsoft Word.  You must use Microsoft Word.
        • It should be a letter introducing you to the parents of your students.  Introduce yourself and include any other information you think they would need
        • Must follow format shown.  If the template shown is not available choose another.
        • Minimum 100 words
        • Proper spelling and grammar

 

Send this document via the “Assignment Dropbox” DO NOT SEND VIA EMAIL.  The assignment must be submitted on or before 11:40 p.m. of the chapter's due date.

 

  1. Complete Chapter 2 Test

 

 

© TEI. All rights reserved.