THE INTERNET HAS HELPED MY TEACHING...

RESOURCES
The internet for me has provided a wealth of information, curriculum, and activities that I am able to use directly in my teaching since 1993. I have used email to seek answers from others around the world and I have used early browsers to download lesson plan files. I still use the first lesson plan I downloaded in my programme - cube poetry. I currently use the internet to browse the world wide web (WWW) for educational sites and sites with information on current topics of study.

PERSONAL EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
I have spent an enormous amount of time online just absorbing new information and extending my technological expertise. The internet has allowed me to have access to some of the best and brightest ideas, institutions, and educators. There is a lot to learn out there! But of course, the real value comes not from the knowledge I have gleaned, but from the application of the skills that I have acquired. It feels good to be able to help others succeed.

LEADERSHIP
For me, the internet has provided me with an area of leadership and responsibility. Improved teaching is the result of strong leadership skills. I am slowly gaining more self-confidence in a leadership role, and It is developing in part because I am so comfortable with the internet. I am passionate about its use in my school, and I think it is starting to rub off a little on my colleagues. I am slowly getting them to "buy in" to the internet and the WWW.

STUDENT MOTIVATION
I believe that I have generated more interest and excitement by introducing the use of the internet into my classroom. This has
improved my teaching for a few reasons. First, when children are motivated to learn, they will do so more quickly. Second, by getting the kids onto the computers and using the technology, they are gaining important life skills in addition to academic programme. When students can see their work on the school web page and actually visit it from home to show their parents what they created that day -- that is success!!

OVERALL
I have noticed an improvement in student collaboration, cooperation, empowerment.

...OR HAS IT?

WOULD THE KIDS HAVE SUCCEEDED AS THEY HAVE WITHOUT ACCESS TO THE INTERNET?
Perhaps another theory, strategy, or system may have evolved that would have been even more educationally powerful than the
internet. Who knows?

WOULD I HAVE BEEN AS GOOD A TEACHER AS I AM WITHOUT THE INTERNET?
I would like to think I was a pretty good teacher before I immersed my students in technology. I would like to think that they still would have benefited from a rich and challenging programme, regardless of the technology available to me.

WOULD THE KIDS HAVE SHOWN AS MUCH INTEREST IN SCHOOL AND LEARNING IF THERE WAS NO INTERNET?
Good teachers always find a way to grab their students' attention so learning can occur.

OVERALL
Any attempt to predict what would have been had the internet not been created is nothing put speculation. However, I think it is clear to me that my teaching has improved with the introduction of the internet into my classroom.