The Internet is not a Panacea

Abstract

Technology enthusiasts and politicians have portrayed the Internet in unrealistic and misleading ways which give an inflated impression of its suitability for school education. This paper seeks to redress the balance. It argues that the Internet is not a library, nor a ‘community’, nor a panacea for difficult problems of teaching and learning. To determine the benefits and pitfalls for education will require extensive research and evaluation in which not only the Internet but also its alternatives should be explored. Until this is done, the option of saying no to the Internet is a legitimate one for schools.