Utilizing the Internet for educational programs in Puerto Rico



by



Karen García Ed.D.





Premises behind strategy:

The Internet offers a wealth of information readily available for instructional purposes

The Internet is a valuable tool for educational programs to take full advantage of existing technology

The Internet allows for the global exposure of local initiatives

Forces behind Puerto Rico’s Educational System

must take full advantage of current available technology

must make computers available to every student in Puerto Rico

must turn from a centralized to a de-centralized curriculum

From centralized to de-centralized curriculum

Under the current educational reform the curriculum must respond to directives from each school committee

The Internet provides an excellent tool for the development of local initiatives

Under the government’s plan...

modern teaching skills using electronic information must be developed

the curriculum must integrate the most advanced technology

Presence in the Internet will

ensure that curricular resources utilize the available knowledge base

will provide content for computer use instruction

will facilitate decentralized initiatives by maintaining self-directed curricula

will allow for English language instruction strategies

Educational programs must take advantage of the advances of technology

The Internet requires technical skills for its utilization

Expertise is also needed in developing curriculum applications

To ensure and facilitate the educational use of information

schools must be equipped with hardware

teachers and students must become computer literate

structured activities for curricular applications must be designed

Maximum utilization of the Internet depends on

Hardware/technical capabilities

Educators expertise

Availability of structured activities

Utilization of the technology

has diverse instructional potential (according to hardware and software capabilities)

could be unidirectional / demonstrative

includes interactive approaches

can be public / private

For Puerto Rico’s educational system to take advantage of the Internet...

computers must be incorporated in the curriculum

teachers and students must become computer literate

curriculum materials must be upgraded and revised

a structure must be created to enhance its use

A structured environment in the Internet

would create scenarios for all constituents to participate

ensure efficient use of time

allow for expert based direction

allow for delivery of established curricular programs

The Internet offers various means applicable to learning activities

e-mail communication

list servers

web pages

unlimited archival capability

IRC (chat)

Applicable content areas

School to Work

English language instruction

Distance learning programs

Technology in Education

Possible strategies

develop a comprehensive approach to the utilization of the Internet

ensure the participation of various factions in the design of an educational web page

A comprehensive approach to access to the Internet would

train teachers in its use

invest in resource analysis and curriculum construction activities

invest in creation of WWW presence

encourage participation

Leadership in the utilization of resources available in the Internet is needed in

sponsoring its use and development

offering structured activities for curricular use

recommending useful sites and activities

becoming a pioneer in innovative uses

The design of an educational web page requires

the creation of an Internet domain for the dissemination of its information

participation in the design of initiatives directed at the educational interests existing in Puerto Rico

sponsorhip of initiatives to structure the curricular use of WWW through development of educational web pages

Information is needed for the design of an educational web page from

Educational Institutions

Teachers

Teachers’ trainers

Students

Parents

Community

Industry

A desired format must be established

focused on topics

narratives with useful links attached

include listserver activities

commercial sponsorship

Content areas

Professional associations

Instructional methodologies for teachers

Corners for each audience

Demonstration of current activities

Calendar

Message Board

Federal Programs

National STW office

Skill standards Board

Industry specific sites

DE departments

Educational regions/ schools

We can offer assistance in:

needs assessment procedures

training in Internet use

web page content and design

maintenance of webpage

establishment of a domain within EDUNET

curriculum design

ESL/Bilingual Education

educational program development

community development

 

For more information please contact:

Dr. Karen García kgarcia@sprynet.com

 

 

School to Work

Language Instruction

Distance Learning Programs

Technology in Education
Concept Model
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