Internet in K-12 Learning

Computer-based technology and the Internet have undoubtedly become one of the most important components of the K-12 learning and teaching in the past decade. In this short blog, I will discuss how the Internet has come into the play of learning in the education of K-12. Also, some examples of the Internet uses in the classrooms will be discussed regarding types of applications and the age of students on this issue.

Roschelle points out four supporting fundamental characteristics of learning that have strengthened children to learn with computer-based applications: active engagement, participation group, frequent interaction and feedback, and connection to real-world context (Roschelle et el., 2000). What Roschelle used as examples in his article are all applications, or so-called software that may be used in the classrooms as supporting materials or class-aids. These have been shown to improve the learning and understanding of the students (Rschelle et el., 2000), and all of the examples used have shown to fit into the four characteristics of learning supports.

Recently, computer-based applications have extended their reach to the Internet that more and more choices of resources are available online. Examples include online discussions, online synchronous classes (ADOBE CONNECT), multimedia resources, etc. These web-based applications also satisfy the learning fundamental criteria, and possibly achieve more than they used to do. The Microcomputer-Based Laboratory (Nachmias & Linn, 1997) can easily be replaced by similar websites that contain even more information required, such as OriginLab (http://www.originlab.com/), and many other sites. This does not necessarily mean that the MBL application is no longer helpful nor the previously mentioned fundamentals are incorrect. Rather, this has shown the improvement in the use of Internet in teaching these days.

Participation groups and frequent interaction and feedback can be replaced or substituted by allowing online forums and discussion boards from the traditional face-to-face sessions. Online discussions have been indicated to be able to improve students' learning performance and learning motivation when instructed carefully (Ellis et el., 2007). Every individual has different ways of learning. Allowing such blended learning environment always would allow students to find the best way of learning to fit for themselves (deGuia & Hoffman).

I will argue that connection to real-world context is probably one of the best advantages when employing the Internet in the classroom. Being able to relate what is taught in the classroom to the real-world context is one of the most important learning methods. (Driver et el.,1994). Teaching in a high school science classroom, I have found that by showing the students how the textbook is related to the real-life context, the students generally grow more awareness of the material, and at the