The Educational Potential of Computer Networking. Interactive Technology Laboratory Report #16.

The educational potential of computer networks will be realized only when educators stop focusing on technical connections and start asking how educational activities that are supported on computer networks can make a significant contribution to education. Computer networks can contribute to accomplishing educational goals in language arts (by improving reading and writing skills); social science (by facilitating international and intercultural sharing of aspects of daily life, news stories, holiday customs, and social problems); science (by extending the range of observations for solving scientific problems); and foreign language learning (by using the Intercultural Learning Network as a functional learning environment, and increasing motivation for the study of foreign languages in the United States and for the improvement of English communication skills in foreign nations). Among the central issues that have evolved from the collaborative work of those using educational networks are that establishing technical connections between participants is only the first step. An active role for the classroom teacher in designing and implementing such activities is vital if networks are to reach their potential. (30 references) (GL)