1. Internet Technologies
By Pamala Smith
Emerging Technologies in Education
ITEC–7445
Multimedia and Web Design in Education
Dr. James P. Chiavacci, Instructor

2. Internet Technologies
The Internet provides a unique platform for innovation, creativity, and economic opportunity.
The various technologies, e.g., online web tools that can be used by teachers to collaborate with students to encourage engagement in and outside the classroom.
Online interactive whiteboards, Wikis, virtual worlds, workgroup tools, mind mapping, collaborative documents, are just a few of the many internet technologies that teachers and students can utilize and be able to maximize their endless potential in the 21st century.

3. Why embrace Internet Technologies?
Enables Collaboration
No additional cost
Encourages Professional Development
Allows students and teachers the Power To Engage
Students Use Them Already
It’s Not Going Away (It Will Only Grow)
Businesses Want to Hire Workers Who Understand The Internet

4. How Does This Technology Support the Vision for Technology Use in our School?
Aligned with ISTE Standards
Aligned with PSC Standards
Teacher/peer collaboration inside and outside classroom walls
Technology will be the continuous driving force that enables and accelerates school improvement not just academically but in all areas.
Various technologies address each student’s specific needs, developmental levels, learning styles, as well as support learning across the curriculum

5. Grade Level Affected
Grades 9-12 for students at Woodland High School but all teachers and students within the Henry County School system can benefit from the use of Internet Technology.
Not only does the business education classes benefit from Internet Technology but the academic classes (e.g., math, science, social studies) as well.

6. Equipment/Software Computers, mobile labs (all hardware included)
Headphones and/or microphones,
Cameras, scanners, and printers
Software programs (e.g., Word, PowerPoint)
Internet Access

7. Technical Support
There is no additional support for Internet Technology usage other that the regular technical support from the school’s technology department.

8. Internet Technology Limitation
There are not limitations regarding the usage of internet technology because most of the sites are free to use.
Additional cost may apply if students decide to use sites that are costly but the teacher always encourages the use of free sites.
Most sites are safe to use.
There are measure in place to block sites that are forbidden and the teacher will go over and implement safety issues regarding internet usage.

9. Cost Involved
The is absolutely no additional cost for teachers and students to implement internet technology into their lesson plans and classroom curriculum.
There are many free sites to teachers and students in order for them to utilize these various online web tools.
Possible professional development for teachers which can be offered through staff development of teachers/staff who are savvy with internet technologies

10. Funding Source
Funding for technology/equipment such as computers, mobile labs, etc., is already included and accounted for in the fiscal budget for the school year.
No additional funding is needed to implement Internet Technology

11. Examples of Internet Technologies
Video and Podcasting - One of the most widely adopted internet technologies used for instructional settings (video streaming).
YouTube, TeacherTube, EduTube, and many other video hosting sites have an abundance of lectures, how-to videos, and supporting materials available in the form of web based video. 
Podcasting has also been used to provide similar offerings of audio materials through popular sites like iTunes.
For educational purposes, students can create their own video or podcasting through these applications.

12. Presentation Tools - This category is vast and rich with possibly thousands of tools on the Internet that can be used to create and share presentations, from simple PowerPoint slide players like Slideshare to multimedia timeline tools like Vuvox, OneTrueMedia, and Prezi.
These tools can be used to support classroom teaching or distance learning, or for student research, reports, collaboration, and presentations.

13. Collaboration & Brainstorming Tools - this is a wide ranging category, including thought-organizing tools like mindmap and bubbl.us, and collaborative tools like web based interactive whiteboards and Google Documents. There are many powerful, fun, and free tools that allow students to take ownership of learning.
Embracing the potential of digital tools to make learning content more accessible and engaging for students in all educational areas.
Wikis and virtual worlds, also serve as collaboration tools.

14. Blogs & Blogging – Bloggers and many other regular Internet users are well aware of blogs and blogging, but there are many other professionals who really are not frequenters of the “blogosphere”.
In addition to a basic familiarity with this technology, educators should be aware of sites like Blogger and WordPress, where users can quickly and easily create their own blogs for free.

15. Wikis – is the Hawaiian word meaning “quick”
Wikis – is the Hawaiian word meaning “quick”. The use of Wikis in educational settings is growing every day.
Wikipedia is the poster child for the collaboration construction of knowledge and truth that the new, interactive Web facilitates.
Sites like Wetpaint and others allow users to create free wiki web sites and are a great way to get started with using wikis for educational applications.

16. Many teachers are utilizing wikis in their classroom for various reasons. These are just a few:
Portfolios
Peer editing
Collaboration
Formative assessment review.
Publishing, organizing, and sharing almost any kind of information whether it is professionally, creatively, or academically.
Wikis can enable students to take responsibility for their learning outcomes, publish to audiences beyond the classroom, and help others to learn.

17. Social Networking – All educators should have a basic understanding of sites like Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace and how they are used.
Educators should also be aware of the professional social networking site such as LinkedIn, which allows users to make connections for possible employment.
This doesn’t mean they need accounts on these sites (and many educators would recommend against using these sites to communicate with their students), but they should understand what they are and how they are being used.

18. IM – A large percentage of students use IM (instant message) regularly, via Aim, IM aggregator site Meebo (Meebo allows users to combine messaging from Aim, Yahoo, MySpace, Facebook, and other sites), or other tools.
There are various articles regarding how this IM application can be utilized within the classroom setting (ex. Educause). Teachers can
communicate to students and vice versa through
instant message.

19. Twitter – is an online social networking and microblogging service that allow users to tweet about any subject or situation.
Twitter is possibly one of the most powerful social media tools available to teachers.
Students can tweet about educational information that is pertinent to the classes in which they are taking.

20. RSS Feeds - RSS allows users to create their own “push” data streams (define data you want coming to you automatically, rather than having to go and “pull” the information with a Google search or other browsing effort).
RSS feeds enable you to take advantage of streams of published content that will be sitting in your In Box, or in an RSS reader, when you want them.
There are RSS feeds available for many topics and many web sites. In educational setting, this could save time for students having the need to research information.

21. Reasons for technology improving student achievement and learning outcomes
“When students are actually creating rather than listening and taking notes, they will become more engaged in the lessons and learn (remember. This should have a positive impact on learning outcomes.”
“Spark interest, provide for a variety of learning styles, and increase student connectedness.
“Encouraging new forms and outlets for their creativity, collaborating skills, tapping into their world to make learning seem more relevant.”

22. “The increased motivation for our students to be able to use tools that they are more comfortable with will be huge!”
Educators that fail to learn about and leverage Internet technologies are failing to take advantage of a wide range of (often free or very low cost) tools that appeal to students and can have a wonderful impact on the instructional process.

23. With the evolution in technology realm, collaboration has now become more convenient and productive than ever.
The internet offers tools that can be used by teachers to collaborate with students to encourage engagement in and outside the classroom.

24. Reflection
Teachers and students alike could really benefit from the use of internet technologies. These online web tools provide numerous amounts of applications that could enhance classroom instruction, collaboration, student learning, and achievement.
By implement internet technologies, teachers and students are both meeting the NET-S standards as well as state and local educational standards.
Integrating technology into education is the key to the future for the 21st century learners.

25. Works cited
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Richardson, Will.  (2010).  Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms.  Thousand Oaks, CA:  Corwin Publishers.