LETTERS: INTERNET IS A GOOD EDUCATIONAL TOOL

To the editor:

I would like to respond to the April 6 article about the youth who created a bomb after following instructions downloaded with a computer, possibly from the Internet. I am interested in encouraging support for the use of the Internet in schools.

I have been teaching the computer technology course at the Cape Girardeau Vocational-Technical School the past 11 years. Technology has changed dramatically and rapidly. Last year I started becoming aware of the use of the Internet and have been spending many hours reading and learning about the Internet. With the appearance of the April 6 article about the bomb and other negative publicity, I am afraid there will be a push to prevent access to the Internet in public schools. I would like to encourage the news media, parents and other members of the community not to pass judgment on the Internet until they have an opportunity to learn about its educational value.

Today you will find a variety of people using the Internet for a variety of reasons: educational, business and pleasure. This use is resulting in an enormous amount of material available on the Internet, some good and some not so good.

I currently have several high school juniors in my class who are working on their junior research papers for their English classes. The Internet gives them a vast resource of up-to-date information above and beyond what they would find taking the traditional approach.

I have had students find information about universities and scholarships on the Internet. Another student, upon finding that he might be attending a university in Germany, was able to go on-line with the university and find out what was going on. Some of my students have downloaded free programs to be used in the classroom.

If as parents we have raised our children to be responsible, then using the Internet should be no different than sending them out into everyday life. I have taught my students some of the uses of Internet. I also have informed them that there are many unacceptable materials available on the Internet and that they are not to intentionally seek out this information. Most students are responsible, young adults and will use the Internet appropriately. However, I am not naive to think that somewhere down the line a student will seek out and find material the community and I would consider inappropriate. As a teacher, I feel that it is worth the risk in order to provide this wonderful tool for these students to use now, later in college and in the business world.

KIM KING

Jackson