APPENDIX A

Letter to Selected Private School Administrators


Doug Bergman

2167 Glendale Dr.

Charleston, S.C. 29414

Ph: 843-769-0934

Fax: 1-888-842-0460

E-mail: [email protected]

Dear Administrator,

I am working on my thesis for my Masters Degree in Educational Administration from the University of South Carolina. I am very interested in finding out how the Internet is being used in our schools and how it is impacting our teachers and students. I am surveying 30 independent (private) schools in the southeast U.S.A. (Georgia, S.C., N.C., Florida, Tennessee, Virginia, & Alabama). There have not really been any detailed surveys done on independent education, so the information we get from this survey will be new and very valuable! Upon completion of my research (Dec. 99), I will gladly make the results of the survey available to you.

I am relying on help from the upper and middle school heads of these schools to help me collect the information necessary. Could you please have all of your faculty complete the survey over the next 2 weeks? I have provided a self-addresses postage paid mailing envelope which can hold up to 20 surveys. (Additional postage needed if you return more) Also, for teachers who wish to make their own file copies or printouts, I have provided a floppy disk storing copies of the survey in Word6.0, Word97/2000, Works 4.0, HTML (Internet Explorer), Word5.1 for MAC, and an RTF version of the survey, so you should be able to find a copy that works with any of your word processing software. I have included 10 printed copies of the survey for you to pass out. Depending on the number of faculty in your school, kindly use the floppy disk to print additional copies as needed.

Kindly take no more than 2 weeks to hand out, collect, and return the surveys to me by October 8. If needed for any reason, you can contact me with the above FAX, E-mail, phone, and address. I can accept return surveys by FAX, E-mail, or post office mail

Thank you very much. I am very grateful for your help.

-Doug Bergman


APPENDIX B

SURVEY INTRUMENT


Doug Bergman

2167 Glendale Dr.

Charleston, S.C. 29414

Ph. 843-769-0934

Fax 1-888-842-0460

E-mail [email protected]

Fellow teachers and administrators,

I am working on my thesis for my Masters Degree in Educational Administration from the University of South Carolina. The focus of my thesis is the impact of the Internet on education. I will be surveying about 30 independent schools in the southeast U.S.A. (Florida, Georgia, SC, NC, Florida, Tennessee, Alabama, and Kentucky). There have not really been any detailed surveys done on independent education, so the information we get from this survey will be very new and valuable. Upon completion of my research (Dec. 99), I will make the results of the survey available to you.

I would appreciate your taking the time to complete my survey on Internet usage and impact. If you are unable to complete the entire survey, please send what you did finish; I can use the answers that you were able to complete.

I will not use your name in any way in my thesis. The purpose of the survey is not to compare schools, but more to get an accurate reflection of the Internet in private education

I will accept surveys hand-written, typed, FAXed, or E-mailed. You can copy the file from the floppy disk (see your administrator) and send it as an attachment via E-mail.

-Thank you very much.

-Doug Bergman


Please be aware that all information will be reported as aggregate data, not individual responses. Names will NOT be used on the survey or in tabulating and reporting the results

NAME___________________________________________________________

SUBJECT(s)______________________________________________________

SCHOOL NAME_____________________ STATE ______________________

THANK YOU!

Answer as many as possible, ignore questions that are irrelevant.

1. a. Sex M F

b. Age 20-30 30-40 40-50 50+

2. a. Grade levels(s) Taught 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

b. Years taught 0-5 5-10 10-15 15+

3. What is the highest Degree you hold BS/BA MA/Med PhD/EdD

4. Please rate your skills on the computer using the following scale:

7 = Very proficient is most applications and hardware. Can easily learn new software and technologies as they are introduced.

6 = Very comfortable in many applications/peripherals

5= Have used basic word processing, database, spreadsheet, etc.

4 = Have used mainly word processing(without help)

3 = Can turn on computer and get into a few applications, but usually need help

1 = Don't know how to use computers , but WANT TO

0 = Don't know how to use computers and do not want to.

5. Please rate your skills on the Internet using the following scale:

7 = Very proficient in WWW, Telnet, FTP, HTML, JAVA, IRC, E-mail, setting up Internet connection

6 = Can get around Internet with no problem and no help

5 = Can search for what I need but sometimes need help

4 = Have been on WWW before, but was not able to use very well.

3 = Cannot use at all.

2 = Have never been on WWW, but WANT TO

1 = Don't know how to use Internet at all and do not want to.

6. Do you have a computer in your classroom? Y N at Home ? Y N

7. Is it a tool you actively use throughout your day? Y N


8. Do you have Internet access in your classroom? Y N

If so, how many computers are connected? _____

9. Do you use Internet in your classroom? Y N

If so, how often

__ more than once a week

__ once a week

__ once every 2 or 3 weeks

__ once a month

__ once a semester

__ once a year

__ never, but WANT TO

__ never have , never will

If so, what do you use?

__ search engines

__ newsgroups

__ bulletin board, message board

__ E-mail

__ specific web site(regular visits)

__ Chat room

__ Live(or recorded) camera or audio

__ design web pages

__ download

__ on-line magazines/ articles

__ Other_____________________________________

10. a. What aspect of the Internet do you consider to be the most valuable?

__ programming (HTML, Java, CGI, Pearl, Visual BASIC , C++)

__ search engines

__ newsgroups

__ bulletin board, message board

__ E-mail

__ chat room

__ downloads

__ on-line magazines/articles

__ other______________________________________

b. Should Internet skills be included in the set of basic skills(math, science, English , etc) that we teach students. Y N

11. Do you use the Internet to learn more about your subject area? Y N

If so, how?

__ discussion groups(usenet)

__ newsgroups

__ bulletin board, message board

__ E-mail with colleagues

__ on-line journal articles/ magazines

__ IRC Chat rooms

__ Other______________________________________

12. Are your classes(or certain sections) better because of the Internet? Y N

If so, how do you know?

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

13. Are there (measurable) improvements in student performance using Internet

based lessons ? Y N

If so, what are they?

__ better test/quiz/homework scores

__ increased participation

__ increased attendance

__OTHER__________________________________________

14. Are there improvements (not measurable) that are observable? Y N

If so, what are they

__ increased enthusiasm

__ increased social skills

__ increased higher learning skills

__ increased motivation

__ Other____________________________________________

15. How do you evaluate Internet based lessons?

__ Testing

__ participation

__ effort

__ reports on activities(like a lab report)

__ do not grade specifically on Internet aspect of class

__ Other____________________________________________

16. Does your school support your efforts to experiment in class to find lessons

using Internet that work? Y N

17. Is training available to train teachers how to incorporate Internet into

lessons? Y N

18. Does your school offer assistance(time, money) to learn about the Internet? Y N

19. Do you think schools should train teachers how to incorporate Internet into lessons? Y N

20. If you could learn more about the Internet, would you try to incorporate it

into your class lessons? Y N

21. a. Does the Internet offer something you cannot get in class or in textbook?

Y N

If so, what or how?

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

b. Is it worth all the money, time, and energy to get schools connected to the Internet? Y N

22. Can the Internet replace the traditional textbook-lecture curriculum?_____

__ Yes, completely change

__ Yes, in many ways

__ Yes, in some ways

__ Yes, in one or two ways

__ No, but I can see where it might in other subjects

__ No, it is not helping education

23. How have you had to drastically change your curriculum to incorporate the Internet? Y N

If so, how?

__ new lesson plans for new material because we get more done

__ new lesson plans to replace outdated ones

__ new evaluation methods

__ new goals and objectives

__ Other__________________________________________

24. Are you excited about the future of the Internet in education? Y N

If so, why?

__ more information available

__ better information available

__ break down borders and barriers between countries, races, and ethnic groups

__ better preparation for real life

__ Other _________________________________________

25. Should teachers be worried that computers/Internet will take away their jobs?

Y N

26. Will education, in general, change in order to incorporate the Internet ? Y N

Explain if you want:

27. Are you a better teacher (in part) due to anything the Internet has provided?

Y N


28. Has your Internet experience (related to education) been a positive one? Y N

Explain if you want:

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

29. (Even if you like the Internet) what do you see as the bad points of

incorporating the Internet in the curriculum?

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

30. Do you have an Internet success story? Explain on back please

31. Do you have an Internet failure story? Explain on back please

THANK YOU! I know you are busy and I appreciate your time and energy! --Doug Bergman


APPENDIX C

Survey Instrument Raw Data














APPENDIX D

INFORMAL STUDENT SURVEY



APPENDIX E

AUP

(Acceptable Use Policy Example)


THE USE OF COMPUTERS, THE INTERNET AND ELECTRONIC MAIL

Acceptable Use Policy

1998-1999

_____________ School is pleased to offer students access to a computer network for electronic mail and the Internet. To gain access to e-mail and the Internet, all students must obtain parental permission as verified by the signatures on the form below. Should a parent prefer that a student not have e-mail and Internet access, use of the computers is still possible for more traditional purposes such as word processing.

What is possible?

Access to e-mail and the Internet will enable students to explore thousands of libraries, databases, museums, and other repositories of information and to exchange personal communication with other Internet users around the world. Families should be aware that some material accessible via the Internet may contain items that are illegal, defamatory, inaccurate, or potentially offensive. While the purposes of the school are to use Internet resources for constructive educational goals, students may find ways to access other materials. We believe that the benefits to students from access to the Internet in the form of information resources and opportunities for collaboration exceed the disadvantages. But ultimately, parents and guardians of minors are responsible for setting and conveying the standards that their children should follow when using media and information sources. Therefore, we support and respect each family's right to decide whether or not to apply for access.

What is expected?

Students are responsible for appropriate behavior on the school's computer network just as they are in a classroom or on a school playground. Communications on the network are often public in nature. General school rules for behavior and communications apply. It is expected that users will comply with district standards and the specific rules set forth below. The use of the network is a privilege, not a right, and may be revoked if abused. The user is personally responsible for his/her actions in accessing and utilizing the school's computer resources. The students are advised never to access, keep, or send anything that they would not want their parents or teachers to see.

What are the rules?

Privacy -- Network storage areas may be treated like school lockers. Network administrators may review communications to maintain system integrity will insure that students are using the system responsibly.

Storage capacity -- Users are expected to remain within allocated disk space and delete e-mail or other material which take up excessive storage space.

Illegal copying -- Students should never download or install any commercial software, shareware, or freeware onto network drives or disks, unless they have written permission from the Network Administrator. Nor should students copy other people's work or intrude into other people's files.

Inappropriate materials or language -- No profane, abusive or impolite language should be used to communicate nor should materials be accessed which are not in line with the rules of school behavior. A good rule to follow is never view, send, or access materials which you would not want your teachers and parents to see. Should students encounter such material by accident, they should report it their teacher immediately.

Succinct Advice

These are guidelines to follow to prevent the loss of network privileges at

School.

1. Do not use a computer to harm other people or their work.

2. Do not damage the computer or the network in any way.

3. Do not interfere with the operation of the network by installing illegal software, shareware, or freeware.

4. Do not violate copyright laws.

5. Do not view, send, or display offensive messages or pictures.

6. Do not share your password with another person.

7. Do not waste limited resources such as disk space or printing capacity.

8. Do not trespass in another's folders, work, or files.

9. Do notify an adult immediately, if by accident, you encounter materials which violate the miles of appropriate use.

10. BE PREPARED to be held accountable for your actions and for the loss of privileges if the Rules of Appropriate Use are violated.

PARENT PERMISSION FORM and USER AGREEMENT

1998-1999

As a parent or guardian of a student at School, I have read the above information about the appropriate use of computers at the school and I understand this agreement will be kept on file at the school. (Questions should be directed to the principal for clarification.)

My child may use e-mail and the Internet while at school according to the rules outlined.____

I would prefer that my child not use e-mail and the Internet while at school._____

Parent Name (print)

Parent Signature

DATE:

PARENTS' PERMISSION FOR THE PUBLICATION OF STUDENT WORK/PICTURES

I understand that from time-to-time the school may wish to publish examples of student projects, photographs of students, and other work on an Internet accessible world wide web server. My child's work can be published on the Internet and photographs of my child can be published ______________

I would prefer that my child's work and picture not be published on the Internet ____________________

Parent Name (print)

Parent Signature

DATE:

As a user of the School computer network, I agree to comply with the above stated rules and to use the network in a constructive manner.

Student Name (print)

Student Signature

Teacher

DATE:



APPENDIX F

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INTERNET

and

WEB PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES

(HTML and JAVA)


DETAILED DESCRIPTION

OF

HOW THE INTERNET WORKS

A network that is connected to the Internet has access to all sites (and other networks) that everyone else on the Internet has access to (assuming not regulated by passwords or other security). Each computer on a connected network has it's own unique address, called an Internet Protocol(IP) address (To find out a local IP address, after connection is made to the ISP, typing winipcfg . At the START-RUN prompt, will tell you your IP address for that session). It will be a series of numbers like 192.168.1.22. Any connected network can go 'up' or 'out' one level on the Internet. Eventually, until the desired site is found (called a 'hit'), the site-request works it's way up to the highest level (the backbone). When trying to connect to another computer, the desired site might be called 'www.ibm.com'(for example) but the local router/modem (or that of the ISP) has a table of IP addresses and names that it has control over. It searches these tables for the name you typed and finds a corresponding IP address. If it does not find the address or name in its list, it then sends a message out one of its gateways to another network. This continues until the requested address is found, thus connecting to it. If the address exists on the Internet, one of the networks will be able to connect to it. It is interesting to do a TRACERT from a DOS (or RUN) prompt to an address on the Internet, to see the 'stops' it makes along the way until it finds the requested site.

(Example)

{C:\ TRACERT www.sellingbuying.com

Tracing route to sellingbuying.com [216.85.247.68]

over a maximum of 30 hops:

1 171 ms 174 ms 162 ms 209.215.201.3

2 241 ms 144 ms 145 ms 209.215.201.62

3 221 ms 135 ms 145 ms 205.152.175.185

4 218 ms 164 ms 145 ms 205.152.175.45

5 231 ms 194 ms 165 ms ixc00cae.cae.bellsouth.net [205.152.91.249]

6 288 ms 213 ms 164 ms 500.Serial2-1-1.GW1.ATL3.ALTER.NET [57.130.70.9]

7 279 ms 164 ms 154 ms 121.ATM3-0.XR2.ATL1.ALTER.NET [146.188.233.54]

8 277 ms 174 ms 193 ms 194.ATM8-0-0.GW2.ATL1.ALTER.NET [146.188.232.77]

9 295 ms 173 ms 174 ms ACSI-SE-gw.customer.ALTER.NET [157.130.64.142]

10 296 ms 194 ms 204 ms e23-ftla-ad-5-0-0.espire.net [206.222.99.11]

11 191 ms 232 ms 193 ms 206.222.105.150

12 270 ms 241 ms 242 ms rtftl1-F10-0.gate.net [199.227.28.1]

13 384 ms 178 ms 193 ms rtdfb2-H6-1-0.gate.net [199.227.28.46]

14 328 ms 261 ms 182 ms sellingbuying.com [216.85.247.68]

Trace complete.

}

The numbers 1-14 represent each individual 'hop' and the ms numbers are milliseconds it takes to reach that site.

___________________________________________________________

A web site is actually a computer (or network of computers) that is set up to handle people connecting to it via the Internet. It might be as simple as a home PC or it might be a large multinational company. The page is written in a standard language that other computers can interpret. Some of the languages that an Internet page might be might be written in are HTML, Java, Cold Fusion, Notes-Script, or Unix, It might be a family who just wants to show pictures of their newborn son, or it may be a password-protected, 128-bit security-enhanced page on which you make stock transactions via the stock exchange. When a user connects to a web page, the code of that page is actually sent to his/her browser, which then interprets that into what is seen as the requested web page.


APPENDIX G

USEFUL WEB SITES

And

INTERNET ADRESSES


General Computer WWW Sites

http://www.schoolworld.asn.au/ where K-12 schools can participate in projects and programs with other schools around the world.

www.computerworld.com Current news in Computers

www.hotwired.com Digital News in the industry

www.nctp.com National Center for Technology Planning

www.eduplace.com/links/tech.html Information on writing technology

plans

www.cyberbee.com Related to the Multimedia Schools magazine

www.ascd.org/pubs/bulletin/ebullet.html Publication for supervision and curriculum development

www.teachnet.com One of the top 100 Web sites by PC Magazine includes lessons plans, articles, ideas, etc.

http://www.teachers.net/ Miscellaneous teacher lessons, curriculum, discussion groups, and ideas

www.pbs.org/mathline elementary and middle school aged site using video and on-line materials to teach about probability and statistics

www.careerexplore.com Activities and scenarios designed to encourage self-development and force students to ask serious questions to and about adults about job, career, and life.

www.dyslexia.com Offers plenty of data for parents and educators about ADD and dyslexia. Where find counselors and groups that provide treatment and advice.

http://ampere.scale.uiuc.edu/~m-lexa/cell/cell.html Site where students can see

3-D models cells, build them and dissect them virtually.


DISCUSSION GROUPS

EDNET( Exploring the Educational Potential of the Internet)

[email protected] On first line of body message, type: subscribe CDROMLAN first lastname

EDTECH( Discussion of Educational Technology)

[email protected] On first line of body message, type: subscribe EDTECH first last name


NEWSGROUPS:

alt.education.distance

alt.kids-talk

k12.chat.elementary

k12.chat.junior

k12.chat.senior

k12.chat.teacher

k12.ed.art

k12.ed.comp.literacy

k12.ed.business

k12.ed.health-pe

k12.ed.music

k12.ed.science

k12.ed.soc-studies

k12.ed.special


Electronic Mail Lists

KIDLINK(To learn more about KIDLINK projects, subscribe to the news service

by sending a message to [email protected]

KIDSPHERE (To learn more about KIDSPHERE projects, subscribe to the news

service by sending a message to [email protected] or

[email protected]

K12_ADMIN(A list for K-12 educators interested in educational administration)

LM_NET(A list for school library media specialists worldwide)


BACK