The Internet - An Essential Resource for Today's Teacher
Ninette Lucia
This is an extract from an essay written jointly by Ninette Lucia
and Maria Mintoff and reproduced here by kind permission of the author.
Introduction
Issues concerning the use of the Internet by the
teacher
Network literacy
Digital literacy skills
Today's technology can provide teachers and students with opportunities
for teaching and learning that were impossible in the past. The Internet
has become a powerful means of communication, a unique combination of
information and people who collaborate to create a massive web of resources
and data available to anyone. In education, the Internet could be an ideal
way of assisting teachers in their professional development. By providing
ideas, material and data which are relevant, up-to-date and quick and
easy to access, the Internet's potential as an educational resource and
as an innovative medium of teaching is obvious. It is, however, important
that teachers use the Internet as a learning environment not just as a
transmitter of information. The innumerable educational Web sites that
can be accessed on the Net offer a wide range of material that vary in
accuracy, relevance and quality. This is due to the fact that the Internet
is not managed by any particular organisation and as a result the information
is not always reviewed by editors. Anyone is free to write and publish
anything on 'Cyberspace'.
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If the Internet is to become an integral part of education as outlined
in the draft document of the new National Curriculum for Education in
Malta (March, 1998), then it is imperative for teachers to acquire the
necessary expertise to be able to use it and have access to it. An effort
must be made to educate teachers in this new technology.
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In order to be able to manipulate 'Cyberspace' teachers have first and
foremost to understand what the Internet is, its capacities and its limitations.
It is also important that they gain a certain amount of technical detail
and Internet terminology. Teachers need to learn how to navigate the Internet
and how to upload and download files. It is necessary for teachers to
be trained in the use of search engines, to know exactly what they are
looking for and to find the right way to phrase their requirements. If
not, the search might come up with too many unnecessary answers or no
answers at all.
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Of utmost importance is the fact that it is the teachers' job to assess
and evaluate what is located on the Internet. They should develop digital
literacy skills which would enable them to
- evaluate information;
- sort the appropriate sites from the inappropriate ones;
- look for the type of information which is suitable for specific purposes.
It is correct to conclude that 'Nothing before has captured the imagination
and interest of educators simultaneously around the globe more than the
World Wide Web' (Owston, 1997) This synergistic outcome is by itself already
remarkable and certainly a phenomenon which Maltese educators should strive
to be a part of.
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