Problem-Solving Tools

General guidelines

Before creating or implementing a project that involves the use of the Internet, you should ask yourself, "Is the Internet the most efficient and effective medium to reach the instructional goals?" Following are a few guidelines to help ascertain the relevance of projects.
Projects should be meaningful
As with other forms of technology, the Internet should be used to take advantage of its specific instructional features. Internet based projects should be well-defined and interesting for the students.
The Internet is a tool, not an end in itself. Teachers must define, structure, and carry out a lesson integrating the Internet just as they would in any other activity. Inviting the world into your classroom requires specific goals, precise structure, organization, and follow-through.
Look for projects with specific goals
Successful Internet based projects for schools usually have specific goals and timeliness. The goals should be clearly stated at the beginning of the project so that participating educators can assess the relevance for their curriculum. The timeline provides the structure needed to keep a project on track.
Start small
Begin on a small scale; plan and practice with only a few participants or one other classroom. This will help you and the other participants get to know each other, as well as give you an idea of what is involved in maintaining a meaningful ongoing telecommunications project.
Communicate frequently

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