Internet in the Classroom

Internet in the Classroom

The Internet is a network of millions of computers worldwide, connected together. It is an elaborate source of education, information, entertainment, and communication. Recently, President Bill Clinton expressed an idea to put the Internet into every classroom in America

by the year 2000[4]. Considering the magnitude of this problem, and the costs involved, it is not realistically possible to set this as a goal.

The Internet allows the almost five million computers [1] and countless users of the system to collaborate easily and quickly either in pairs or in groups. Users are able to access

people and information, distribute information, and experiment with new technologies and services. The Internet has become a major global infrastructure used for education, research, professional learning, public service, and business.

The costs of setting up and maintaining Internet access are varied and changing. Lets take a look at some of the costs of setting up Internet service in a typical school.

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First comes the hardware. Hardware required is generally a standard Windows-based PC or Macintosh and a 14.4 Kbs or higher modem. This will cost about $1000 apiece. If the average school has 50 classrooms, already the cost has risen to $50,000 per school, for only one connection per classroom. Next you need actual Internet service. For 24-hour connections expect to pay $100 or more per month, per account.

If a school plans to have more than a few individual Internet users, it will need to consider a network with a high-speed dedicated line connected to the Internet. This school network would probably be a small- or medium-sized network in a single building or within very few geographically close buildings. Connecting an entire school may require more than one specific LAN(Local Area Network).

Most high-speed Internet connections are provided...