HIGHLIGHTER

As mentioned in another article in this issue, our students and faculty are surfing the Internet! Through the efforts of many (especially our tech coordinator, Justin Mayrand) and with the support of staff at the University of New Hampshire, the high school is connected by a 56K telephone line to the bountiful resources found on the World Wide Web. This is an exciting development, particular!y in the library. We now have another powerful tool for learning readily available for research and exploration. Exemplifying our school's Vision Statement, this tool demonstrates the openness which exists between the school and the outside world and the value to be gained from "taking risks, trying new ideas, and learning in new ways."

Some have suggested this information superhighway is a dangerous road. Referring to the Internet during a recent interview with the Boston Globe, Ken Olsen, the founder of Digital said, "Don't let your kids on it." If he or others with similar reservations could see the curiosity and interest exhibited by our students who are using it, they might change their minds. Who are these students and what are they finding? Students who have little experience and perhaps even some discomfort with computers as well as those who are technologically adept are all finding that this tool has something to offer. Whether searching for the latest stock quotes, scores and statistics for their favorite teams, information about colleges, lyrics from a rock group, or using search engines to locate sources for a project, they are discovering the immense range of the Internet.

There are, to be sure, issues to be addressed in implementing the use of the Internet In our schools. The district's School Board is in the process of approving a policy for the appropriate use of technology. Here at ORHS, a policy has been drafted and approved by the School Senate and the faculty. This policy states the expectation that all members of our community will use technology resources, including the Internet, in a "responsible, ethical, and legal manner and will show respect and consideration for all." The policy includes a contract which, starting in September, 1996, must be signed by students and their parents to signify agreement with the principles of appropriate use. Beyond these policies, there are opportunities for all of us to engage in dialogue with our young people concerning their responsibilities. There are materials available on the Internet which are objectionable; we cannot always protect our students from these realities. It is incumbent upon the adults in our students' lives to monitor and guide, as our faculty are doing, their developing sense of responsibility as citizens of the school as well as of the larger community.

The Internet brings the entire electronic world Into our small community here at Oyster River High School. We welcome your questions and comments and invite you to come in to see this resource at work.

Kathleen Kentner, Librarian

Last update on 29-Mar-99 at 9:28 PM.

http://www.orol.org/schools/orhs/highlighter/may96/library.html

This page is edited by David K. Taylor. Please send questions or comments to editor@orol.org.