How Can Computer Networking Be Used in the Classroom?

by Michael Eisenberg and Donald P. Ely

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Computer networks change everyday classroom activities into exciting, unique projects involving the interaction of students and teachers worldwide. For example, students studying the solar system can send questions directly to NASA scientists. Teacher educators, student teachers, and supervising teachers can exchange ideas through the Teacher-LINK. They can also browse through hundreds of lesson plans in the AskERIC Virtual Library.

This brochure explores the benefits and applications of computer networks in K-12 classrooms. It presents the basics for getting started and introduces sample networks.

How Can Computer Networking Change My Classroom?

Interaction through networks helps break down communication barriers and connects students and teachers with the outside world. Access to a computer, a modem, and phone lines frees students and teachers from the physical limits and time constraints of the school environment. Networking allows them to send electronic mail, participate in computer conferencing, and access information from remote sources.

Electronic mail (e-mail) allows you to exchange information with other teachers or students, locally or worldwide. E-mail is like an answering machine using text: a sender composes a message which is stored on the network; the receiver pulls it up onto a screen and reads it. By talking to others across continents, students can continually improve their writing and reading skills.

File transfer allows you and your students to send or receive files across networks--referred to as downloading or uploading files.

Computer conferencing/group communication makes it possible for groups of teachers and students to work together and share information without having to be in close physical proximity. Global classrooms may be created where students work cooperatively with other students as if they were in the same location. You and your students can join organized discussion groups (also called listservs) that focus on a wide variety of topics. For more information on education listservs, send an e-mail to askeric@ericir.syr.edu.

Databases of abstracts and full-text publications comprise a vast library of information available to you and your students. This includes the Department of Education's online library INet (Gopher: gopher.ed.gov), NASA's Spacelink program (Gopher: spacelink.msfc.nasa.gov), and the National Parent Information Network--NPIN (Gopher: ericps.ed.uiuic.edu).

How Do I Begin?

Electronic networking enables computers to communicate with each other. To network, you will need a computer, a modem, (a device that enables computers to communicate with each other), a telecommunications software package, and a subscription to a network that allows access to other online services or the Internet--a global computer network of computer networks. Users connected to the Internet at local sites are able to talk to colleagues connected to the Internet worldwide. Some important mechanisms that ease navigation on the Internet are: the Gopher, an organizing tool for tunneling to different sites on the Internet; Telnet, a connection to a host at a distant location; and the World Wide Web, a graphic user interface for organizing and presenting text, video, and sound electronically.

To obtain a listing of Internet access points to ERIC, send an e-mail to ericdb@aspensys.com.

Computer networking can have both rewarding and trying moments. Although user manuals or classes are helpful in mastering the basics, it is usually best to have someone show you how networking is done and answer your questions. Contact your building or district technology staff, regional or state technology centers, or the public library. Local computer stores may provide some assistance or the name of a local computer user group.

How Do I Connect to a Network?

There are many ways to connect to the numerous networks, and sometimes finding a connection is not an easy task. Some options are:

Local bulletin board systems allow users to ask questions, offer ideas, and receive feedback from other network users. Local systems are readily available, and a free connection can usually be arranged. Computer stores, the public library, education agencies, or computing centers at local colleges may provide information about bulletin boards in your area. College and university computer systems are usually available free or at low cost to students. These normally connect to a network that in turn provides access to the Internet.

Statewide and regional systems offer opportunities for K-12 teachers and students to connect to the Internet. Contact your state education agency about services and costs in your area.

Local school and district computing facilities are being developed. Check with your building or district computer support personnel about what is available to you.

Commercial vendors provide a wide range of information resources for a fee. Many, including America Online and CompuServe, offer connections to the Internet.

What Are Some Education-Related Computer Networks Available?

AskERIC is an Internet-based, question-answering service for teachers, parents, administrators, and others interested in K-12 education. Information on any topic related to education can be obtained by sending an e-mail message to askeric@ericir.syr.edu. You will receive a response within 72 hours. You may also connect to the AskERIC Virtual Library, which contains InfoGuides on key education topics, lesson plans, research summaries, and other resources. AskERIC (http://ericir.syr.edu)

K12Net is a network system geared to elementary and secondary school students and their teachers. Users interested in a particular topic can communicate and work cooperatively with others worldwide. For example, Global Village News,a K12Net news service for students worldwide, is open to anyone who has access to a local computer bulletin board. For more information, contact Janet Murray, 1151 SW Vermont Street, Portland, OR 97219; 503-280-5280; Internet: jmurray@psg.com.

Global SchoolNet (formerly FrEdMail) features learning projects that motivate students to become better learners and writers, and that enable teachers to share experiences, ideas, and materials. It also publishes a quarterly newsletter and guides to help teachers implement telecomputing. For more information contact the Global SchoolNet Foundation, P.O. Box 243, Bonita, CA 92002-0243; 619-475-4852; Internet: fred@acme.fred.org.

KIDSPHERE (formerly KIDSNET) is an international discussion group for teachers and others interested in networking for children and education. KIDS is a related listserv for children. To subscribe, send a request to: kidsnet-request@vms.cis.pitt.edu or joinkids@vms.cis.pitt.edu.

Who Can I Contact For Information?

Center for Children and Technology
Education Development Corporation, Inc.
96 Morton Street, 7th floor
New York, NY 10014
212-807-4200
Internet: cct@edu.org

ERIC Clearinghouse on Information & Technology (ERIC/IT)
Syracuse University
4-194 Center for Science and Technology
Syracuse, NY 13244-4100
1-800-464-9107
315-443-3640
Internet: eric@ericir.syr.edu
http://ericir.syr.edu/

International Society for Technology in Education
1787 Agate Street
Eugene, OR 97403-1923
1-800-336-5191
Internet: ISTE@oregon.uoregon.edu

Consortium for School Networking
P.O. Box 65193
Washington, DC 20035-5193
202-466-6296
Fax: 202-872-4318
Internet: info@cosn.org

Sources

Most of the following references--those identified with an ED or EJ number--have been abstracted and are in the ERIC database. Documents with an ED number can be found on microfiche at more than 900 locations or can be ordered in paper copy from the ERIC Document Reproduction Service at 1-800-443- ERIC. The journal articles can be found at most research libraries. Call 1-800-LET-ERIC for more details.

Honey, Margaret, and Andres Henriquez. 1993. Telecommunications and K-12 Educators: Findings From a National Survey. New York, NY: Center for Technology in Education.

Kurshan, Barbara L., Marsha A. Harrington, and Peter G. Milbury. 1994. An Educator's Guide to Electronic Networking: Creating Virtual Communities. Syracuse, NY: ERIC Clearinghouse on Information & Technology, Syracuse University.

Rose, Mike. May/June 1992. "Are You Plugged Into the Global Classroom?" American Teacher 76(6):8-9.

Sia, Archie P. "Enhancing Instruction Through Software Infusion." Paper presented at the Association of Teacher Educators Conference, Orlando, FL, February 15-19, 1992. ED 363 605.

Tennant, Roy, John Ober, and Anne G. Lipow. 1993. Crossing the Internet Threshold: An Instructional Handbook. Berkeley, CA: Library Solutions Press.

Credits

This brochure is based on the article, "Plugging into the Net," by Michael Eisenberg and Donald P. Ely, which appeared in The ERIC Review, Volume 2, Issue 3, Winter 1993.

This publication was prepared by ACCESS ERIC in association with the ERIC Clearinghouse on Information & Technology with funding from the Office of Educational Research and Improvement, U.S. Department of Education, under Contract No. RR92024001. The opinions expressed in this brochure do not necessarily reflect the positions or policies of the U.S. Department of Education.

TITLE: How Can Computer Networking Be Used in the Classroom?
AUTHORS: Michael Eisenberg and Donald P. Ely
DATE: Summer 1995