The Internet brings individuals and communities four indisputably important major historical firsts;

        1. Fingertip access to the world’s knowledge base; the ability to find specific
        information within seconds of having the need; from worldwide sources, this
        allows self-empowerment through self-directed, just-in-time, inquiry-based learning.

2. Inexpensive global self-publishing for both teachers and students; sharing creative
works and resources with an authentic peer audience through the ability to self-publish
globally using multimedia on a shoestring budget; on equal par with the world’s largest
institutions, corporations and governments. This allows for every story to be told
and dramatically facilitates the sharing of information.

3. The ability to collaborate with individuals without restraint due to
distance, or time available, either privately one-to-one or publicly
involving whole communities, bringing people together around
purposeful causes to take organized action. The Internet increases
the quantity and quality of human relationships.

4. Students often know more about computers and Internet than teachers,
making them a valuable peer mentoring and technical support resource in the
classroom. Students typically outpace the teachers in their acquisition of new
skills when they have the opportunity for Internet access at school, and particularly at home.

This creates a potentially positive opportunity for the teacher to implement peer
tutoring and to have students provide the technical support often lacking from
school technology budgets. While a change in teacher attitudes is required;
shifting from being the "sage on the stage," to being a "guide on the side" the
role of facilitator of student’s self-directed learning tends to be ultimately more
satisfying for teachers in the long term though many resist this role change initially.

Before engaging your students in 'live' Internet activities you should be aware of a few key issues. The following issues are explained at length, complete with many resources for dealing with these issues, on many sites on the Internet. Selected high quality sites are included in the K12 Essential Resources section. A simple keyword search on the Internet regarding the following topics will produce many other quality sites on these important issues. (Tips on learning to search the Internet are included in this handbook!)

COPYRIGHTS/FAIRUSE: Because all information on the Internet is digital, it can easily be saved and reused using computers. The issue of how best to deal with copyright issues and educational fairuse of this information is vitally important. Because your students will soon be producers of multimedia content on the Internet, they need to understand their own intellectual property rights! Students need to learn how to properly cite resources that they intend to use as part of their own work and must learn to assess and question the authenticity of the information they acquire.

INAPPROPRIATE MATERIAL: Because the first amendment of the constitution guarantees rights for free speech, we have the problem of pornographic material on the Internet. Even worse, is the reality that hate literature and extremist information from sources of every description are indeed accessible on the Internet. Strategies for dealing with these issues vary, but are well documented in many locations.

Student use of email and posting student's web pages raises issues of child safety and privacy. Schools require signed waivers from students and parents to protect against liability issues. Typically, simple supervision and candid discussion with students regarding these issues will minimize the risk of difficulties.