Review of "Learning with the Internet" by M. Kumar

Journal Review of “Learning with the Internet”

Ray Etheridge

Western Washington University

Muthukumar, S. (September 2004) Learning with the Internet. Retrieved from http://www.newhorizons.org/strategies/technology/muthukumar.htm


Review

In this relatively short article the author summarizes the advantages and disadvantages of using the internet in education. He begins with a short discussion of the ways in which the internet can be used, as a tool for inquiry, communication and construction as detailed by Bruce and Levin in 1997 and continues to discuss the details of such. For example how the internet allows for rapid access to facts and data or how it allows teachers or students to communicate across vast distances. He then discussions the pedagogical benefits of using the internet, such as high level learning, self reflection and social awareness and then goes on to detail some of the drawbacks of such a system, such as the need for increased training in media literacy, evaluation strategies and the need for students to be able to access more complex thinking in order to effectively use such tools. Finally, he details how the benefits of such a systems, such as how students can learn how to organized, reflect on and interact with, evaluate and synthesize new skills must be based in core skills and abilities such as Boolean logic and critical thinking skills. He also details how the time and budget constraints of the system and accessibility of such a system which would require monitoring and guidance from teachers and administrators alike thus requiring a new level of complexity in order to be actualized successfully for enhance learning implementation.

The article is well written, easy to read and does a good job of detailing the basic advantages and disadvantages of the importance of technology to modern education. While I had hoped for a more detailed review of specific techniques, programs and methods such was clearly not his intent. He does a good job of listing the basics of what is needed for the student, parent, teacher and administrator the challenges and opportunities of the Internet in regards to learning and as a basic introduction it succeeds, however it should not be confused, it is no more than that and lacking a good list of references or links to websites that detail more specifics one is left wanting more. Fortunately it is only one article on a much more useful website and as such is acceptable for what it is and what it is not.