From Scientific American
The Teacher's Complete and Easy Guide is an intelligent book that not only provides much practical information about Internet tools and resources for educators but also answers the hard questions such as, Technology for what?; What does the Internet offer?; and How can you and your students use this technology responsibly?
Ann and Linda are seasoned teachers and Internauts who are sharing their experiences and the experiences of many other teachers who have discovered global networking. Their book is useful to new beginners but is also a good book for seasoned travellers who are leading others in their schools and communities to the Information Superhighway.
Review
Those who are beginners on the Internet, as well as those who've been "netting" for a while, will find a wealth of useful information in this handy book. Each aspect of the Internet, from how to set up your computer for Internet access, to descriptions of the different features, such as mailing lists, newsgroups, gophers, anonymous ftp and the World Wide Web, is described thoroughly, in easy to understand language with step-by-step instructions which explain how to access and use these options. Even a veteran is likely to learn something from the Internet features descriptions.
Stilborne and Heide have arranged the book with specific projects for each Internet area discussed. These projects/lesson plans give a number of Internet addresses to visit, as well as suggestions as to how to use the Internet in classes with access to electronic media. Many of these lesson plans are adaptable for those of us who are interested in using the many features of the Internet, but whose classes have no access. An amazing number of very interesting Internet and World Wide Web sites focusing on practical educational issues are listed, making The Teacher's Complete & Easy Guide to the Internet the closest thing to an educator's Internet yellow pages that I've seen yet. Most projects are easily adaptable to use in English classes, and there is a specific listing of ESL sites in the back of the book. There are also many sites from which files can be downloaded for use in non-computerized classes. I've seen other books on the Internet, but this is the one I'll keep near the computer. Each time I look back at it, I find some new idea to explore. -- Meg Gam, Hand-On English newsletter (Fall, 1996)
