Pros and Cons 1

Running head: PROS AND CONS OF DEPENDENCE ON THE INTERNET

Pros and Cons of Increasing Student Dependence on the Internet

TEC 560

Ms. Gina Phipps

February 20, 2007

Pros and Cons 2

Abstract

This paper addresses the pros and cons of Internet dependency. A personal lesson plan

was used as an example to show how careful planning really dictates how to best utilize

the Internet as a tool within the educational design. Careful planning, implementing, and

evaluating processes should be in place when using the Internet for inquiry and

organizing/presenting information through the use of the Internet. Yahoo, Google,

Windows Live, and Google Docs and Spreadsheets were given as examples of how

Internet use can assist in this regard. It was determined that the Internet should be

considered as a tool that if used correctly can greatly enhance the classroom through

motivational means.

Pros and Cons 3

Pros and Cons of Increasing Student Dependence on the Internet

Internet use in general is limited for those university students studying in Mexico.

Although access is available throughout the university, most students do not have access

in their homes. Internet cafes are very common but they typically charge by the hour so

students are less likely to spend long periods of time on the Internet. This limited amount

of access time must be considered when planning, implementing, and evaluating

instruction, assessment, and the curriculum. Access time also influences how much

students depend on the Internet.

Pros. Student dependency on the Internet gives the students a vast array of

resources to consult for information inquiry. Students may use Yahoo (2007), Google

(2007), or Windows Live to name a few that are reliable search engines that students can

use to find information. Information inquiry is usually fast and free, so instead of having

to consult books, information can be found electronically. With this information,

students can also use the Internet to organize and present information through services

such as Google Docs and Spreadsheets (2007). All these services are free, so access

becomes easier and more reliable. For example, in my lesson plan (Stewart, 2007), I

include a video activity that I present in class. The video serves as a basis of discussion

during the class, but the students then are required to create a summary of the video

through an analysis, evaluation, and reflection that requires them to go beyond the

“surface” of what they have seen. This video can be access online (A Conversation

with…2001), so students can review the video again for additional clarification. The

students can then go to Google Docs and Spreadsheets (2007) to prepare their summary.

Pros and Cons 4

Although the advantages of having access to this amount of information may be

obvious, there are some disadvantages that could hinder the educational process.

Cons. Planning one’s lesson plan around the use of technology, specifically the

Internet, does require special consideration to 1) accessibility, 2) monitoring student

progress, and 3) technical support. When I planned my lesson plan I had to consider my

due dates based on what I considered ample time to complete the assignment based on

when they could have access to the Internet. Monitoring in this case came in the form of

providing the online video access and making sure there were no questions, either in class

or via email. The latter overlaps slightly to the last point – technical support. It was

important that I verified my online link and that I also provided a physical DVD copy of

the video for those students who were unable to view the entire video via the Internet

(which was the case for some students). Although I was unable to monitor my students

directly, another con for Internet dependency pertains to students staying on task. With

all the information available online, it is very easy for students to get sidetracked. Social

websites and those offering online games are easy distracters for students. In my case, I

figured accessibility and the amount of time I felt was required to complete the task to

address this point.

To conclude, Internet dependency has its pros and cons when educators plan,

implement, and evaluate its use within the lesson plan. The important thing to consider is

that the Internet should be considered as a tool. It is up to the educator to figure out how

to best use this tool depending on the classroom objectives and the needs and interests of

the students.

Pros and Cons 5

References

A Conversation with Bill Gates. (2001). Retrieved on February 20, 2007 from http://www.archive.org/details/pu_BillGates

Google. (2007). Retrieved on February 20, 2007 from www.google.com

Google Docs and Spreadsheets. (2007). Retrieved on February 20, 2007 from https://www.google.com/accounts/ServiceLogin?service=writely&passive=true&continue=http%3A%2F%2Fdocs.google.com%2F&followup=http%3A%2F%2Fdocs.google.com%2F&ltmpl=homepage&nui=1

Stewart, B. (2007). Bill Gates (lesson plan). Retrieved on February 27, 2007 from http://www.taskstream.com/main/?/stewart54/ReflectionPortfolio.html

Windows Live (MSN Search). (2007). Retrieved on February 20, 2007 from http://www.live.com/

Yahoo. (2007). Retrieved on February 20, 2007 from www.yahoo.com