Internet use in schools: an investigation into the experiences, abilities and attitudes of teachers and pupils in junior schools

Abstract

The Government’s pledge to connect every school in Britain to the Internet by 2002 raises many questions. The impact of the Internet in schools is studied from the perspective of teachers, who are responsible for equipping children with Internet skills. It focuses on the experiences of junior schoolteachers, responsible for the children’s development in all subjects. Teachers’ views were sought through questionnaires and interviews. The results suggest that most are very positive towards the Internet. Almost all felt that it would be a useful tool in education, with over two‐thirds hailing its use as an essential skill. However, a number of problems were highlighted, such as inadequate training, limited facilities and lack of government support. Concern was also expressed over the dominance of the Internet when other information resources, such as books and CD ROMs, may be more appropriate.