Student Dependence on the Internet

Pros and Cons Running head: PROS AND CONS OF DEPENDENCE ON THE INTERNET

Pros and Cons of Increasing Student Dependence on the Internet TEC 560 Ms. Gina Phipps February 20, 2007

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Pros and Cons

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Abstract This paper addresses the pros and cons of Internet dependency. A personal lesson plan was used as an example to show how careful planning really dictates how to best utilize the Internet as a tool within the educational design. Careful planning, implementing, and evaluating processes should be in place when using the Internet for inquiry and organizing/presenting information through the use of the Internet. Yahoo, Google, Windows Live, and Google Docs and Spreadsheets were given as examples of how Internet use can assist in this regard. It was determined that the Internet should be considered as a tool that if used correctly can greatly enhance the classroom through motivational means.

Pros and Cons

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Pros and Cons of Increasing Student Dependence on the Internet Internet use in general is limited for those university students studying in Mexico.

Although access is available throughout the university, most students do not have access in their homes. Internet cafes are very common but they typically charge by the hour so students are less likely to spend long periods of time on the Internet. This limited amount of access time must be considered when planning, implementing, and evaluating instruction, assessment, and the curriculum. Access time also influences how much students depend on the Internet.

Pros. Student dependency on the Internet gives the students a vast array of resources to consult for information inquiry. Students may use Yahoo (2007), Google (2007), or Windows Live to name a few that are reliable search engines that students can use to find information. Information inquiry is usually fast and free, so instead of having to consult books, information can be found electronically. With this information, students can also use the Internet to organize and present information through services such as Google Docs and Spreadsheets (2007). All these services are free, so access becomes easier and more reliable. For example, in my lesson plan (Stewart, 2007), I include a video activity that I present in class. The video serves as a basis of discussion during the class, but the students then are required to create a summary of the video through an analysis, evaluation, and reflection that requires them to go beyond the “surfaceâ€? of what they have seen. This video can be access online (A Conversation with‌2001), so students can review the video again for additional clarification. The students can then go to Google Docs and Spreadsheets (2007) to prepare their summary.

Pros and Cons

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Although the advantages of having access to this amount of information may be obvious, there are some disadvantages that could hinder the educational process.

Cons. Planning one’s lesson plan around the use of technology, specifically the Internet, does require special consideration to 1) accessibility, 2) monitoring student progress, and 3) technical support. When I planned my lesson plan I had to consider my due dates based on what I considered ample time to complete the assignment based on when they could have access to the Internet. Monitoring in this case came in the form of providing the online video access and making sure there were no questions, either in class or via email. The latter overlaps slightly to the last point – technical support. It was important that I verified my online link and that I also provided a physical DVD copy of the video for those students who were unable to view the entire video via the Internet (which was the case for some students). Although I was unable to monitor my students directly, another con for Internet dependency pertains to students staying on task. With all the information available online, it is very easy for students to get sidetracked. Social websites and those offering online games are easy distracters for students. In my case, I figured accessibility and the amount of time I felt was required to complete the task to address this point.

To conclude, Internet dependency has its pros and cons when educators plan, implement, and evaluate its use within the lesson plan. The important thing to consider is that the Internet should be considered as a tool. It is up to the educator to figure out how to best use this tool depending on the classroom objectives and the needs and interests of the students.

Pros and Cons References A Conversation with Bill Gates. (2001). Retrieved on February 20, 2007 from http://www.archive.org/details/pu_BillGates Google. (2007). Retrieved on February 20, 2007 from www.google.com Google Docs and Spreadsheets. (2007). Retrieved on February 20, 2007 from https://www.google.com/accounts/ServiceLogin? service=writely&passive=true&continue=http%3A%2F%2Fdocs.google.com %2F&followup=http%3A%2F%2Fdocs.google.com %2F&ltmpl=homepage&nui=1 Stewart, B. (2007). Bill Gates (lesson plan). Retrieved on February 27, 2007 from http://www.taskstream.com/main/?/stewart54/ReflectionPortfolio.html Windows Live (MSN Search). (2007). Retrieved on February 20, 2007 from http://www.live.com/ Yahoo. (2007). Retrieved on February 20, 2007 from www.yahoo.com

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