Don't Miss The Boat (A comment on the effect of the Internet on Education)!

The Internet has been both a blessing and a curse, and in more ways than one! However, for the purposes of information, knowledge, and learning, it is a vast resource. In my opinion, it has changed the concept of knowledge and learning in one major aspect, as portrayed in statements by two different educators I know: “It’s not how much you can pull from memory; it’s knowing how to find the correct information.” I think it is important for children to learn keyboarding skills early, as well as the tools that are available in the Microsoft Office package (such as the awesome capability to build a bibliography as you go). I also feel it would be good for students to learn early the types of sites that are considered credible for the purpose of research (it is shocking to me that several college students still feel Wikipedia is a credible source for citing). Emailing, as well, while it may soon be antiquated, is currently a skill that a child can scarcely do without in today’s world, let alone the world of education. The ability to contact a teacher with questions or corroborate with another student on a project is nearly vital for the modern student.
All of these skills are necessary for today’s student. Many students will have some of these skills in place before elementary schools even consider training them, simply from their personal use at home. Still many more will have little or no experience (every home does not have a computer or access to the internet, contrary to what some might think). So, for the purpose of planning technology education in our primary and secondary schools, and to prepare our young people so they don’t miss the proverbial boat, we should implement all of the above, and I’m sure, several I have not considered.