| Teachers and the internet can make a terrific | | | | during or just before classroom time. You will need |
| combination. But using it improperly can cause | | | | duty-free hours to peruse the wealth that is available |
| problems. First and foremost, you must understand | | | | on the internet. Think of it as a long-term teaching |
| that the internet is not a replacement for good | | | | guide and reference. |
| teaching. It is not a crutch for bad teaching. It is a | | | | Using the Internet as a Resource for Quick Teacher |
| resource and an information tool. Teachers should use | | | | Ideas |
| it mainly for these purposes. | | | | This is where the internet shines. Teachers no longer |
| Using the Internet as an Information Tool | | | | need to sort through cabinets and books looking for a |
| Many site are available with teaching strategies, helps, | | | | worksheet or lesson plan guide. All of these are readily |
| hints, and tips for the classroom. But these must be | | | | available, and many times free, on the internet. For |
| used only for enhancing your teaching. They are not a | | | | example, if you need a lesson plan, coloring page, or |
| replacement for what you have been taught and | | | | worksheet on dinosaurs, boom! A quick search will |
| gleaned from fellow teachers and past experiences. | | | | yield plenty. If you need a math worksheet, again, you |
| Too many teachers use the internet as a replacement | | | | can find it quick. The internet is the perfect solution to |
| for all other resources, including their own style and | | | | finding lesson plans and other teaching and classroom |
| imagination. You can find much teaching wisdom, but | | | | materials. Over time, you could actually come up with |
| putting it in practice is something different. Find some | | | | your own folders, filled with material without ever |
| good teaching ideas and run them by your teacher | | | | spending a dime in a book store. But there really is no |
| colleagues. Incorporate some into your teaching, but | | | | need. Just bookmark your favorite websites and you |
| always personalize it. The internet for teachers has | | | | will never need a cabinet filled with reproducibles again! |
| basically become a replacement for print books and | | | | To restate the purpose of this article, a teacher should |
| magazines. You will find some good ideas, but all ideas | | | | never think that planning, strategies, and classroom |
| must be put into perspective. For some reason, many | | | | teaching can be replaced by the internet. It cannot. One |
| teachers have put the internet above all else. Do not | | | | should never have the attitude of, "I do not need to |
| fall into this trap. Never use the internet for this purpose | | | | plan, because I have the internet. |