K-12 Networking Workshop to Prepare Teachers To Integrate Internet Education in Classrooms

RESTON, Va., March 25 -- Internationally renowned experts in the use of the Internet in education will lead the Internet Society's K-12 Networking Workshop at INET'99 on June 22, 1999, in San Jose, Calif. The Workshop is designed to prepare educators, researchers, teachers, practitioners, parents and educational policymakers to harness the power of the Internet in classrooms around the globe. Participants will focus on a broad range of technical and non-technical issues, including school reform, practical strategies for using the Internet to support professional development for teachers and how the Internet impacts school curriculum.

"This workshop provides a unique opportunity to learn from leaders around the world," said Yvonne Marie Andres, co-chair of the K-12 Networking Workshop and president/curriculum director of the Global Schoolhouse and the Global SchoolNet Foundation in Carlsbad, Calif. "We'll examine global best practices and give educators concrete examples of how the Internet can enrich the educational experiences of their students."

"The Internet Society is committed to the global deployment of the Internet's infrastructure to educational institutions and the enhancement of the knowledge-base of educators," said Donald M. Heath, president and CEO of the Internet Society. "This workshop is one of the most effective means of achieving that goal."

The K-12 Networking Workshop will cover such hands-on topics as information overload, technical support for students, objectionable content, funding, and assessment of age skills. Participants also will explore more expansive issues including the future of the textbook and the library, school technology and the community, and parents and the Internet. Presentations by teachers, practitioners, decision-makers and researchers will illuminate the broad range of applications and issues surrounding the use of the Internet in schools, from kindergarten to secondary level. Sessions are interactive with ample opportunity for questions, answers and discussion involving workshop attendees.

K-12 Networking Workshop Co-Chairs

Andres and her co-chair, Dr. David Lassner, director of Information Technology for the University of Hawaii, will announce presenters for this year's Workshop in April. Past presenters have included renowned writers, teachers, and scientists from around the world.

Andres has been pioneering instructional telecommunications since 1984 as an electronic bulleting board sysop and project director for various networks including the AT&T Learning Network, CORE (California Online Resources in Education) Network, CERFnet (California Education and Research Foundation), MIX (McGraw-Hill Information Exchange), and FreeEdMail Network. She has provided leadership and training in educational networking at conferences and workshops around the world.

Lassner is a founding co-chair of the K-12 workshop, which began in 1995. His work was instrumental in making the Internet available in every public school on all six islands of Hawaii, and he was principal investigator for a successful three-year, $2.1 million National Science Foundation grant that researched the role of the Internet in Hawaii's education reform efforts.

Registration

The K-12 Networking Workshop will be held in conjunction with INET'99, the ninth annual conference of the Internet Society, June 22-25 in San Jose. Registration for the Workshop is US $95 for ISOC members and US $145 for non- members. This includes program, lunch and materials. For additional information or to register for the K-12 Workshop and/or the INET'99 Conference, complete the INET'99 registration form located on the Internet Society's Web site: www.isoc.org/inet99; or call 703-326-9880.

About INET'99

INET is the premier event of the Internet industry and provides an international forum for advancing the development and implementation of the Internet networks, technologies, applications and policies around the globe. Established and organized by the Internet Society, INET brings together world leaders and pioneers of cyberspace, information technology professionals, business executives, educators, and government officials to exchange experiences and shape the future of the Internet.

INET'99 is expected to attract 3,000 attendees from more than 100 countries to address issues emanating from the Internet's impact on commerce and finance, education, technologies and societies throughout the world. INET'99 will include presentations of more than 100 research papers, technical reports and case studies.

Information on the INET'99, including detailed information on registration and program tracks, is available on the Internet at www.isoc.org/inet99.

About the Internet Society

The Internet Society is the international organization for global coordination and cooperation of the Internet. The Internet Society was established in 1991 in response to a recognized worldwide need for a non- governmental, international organization to help promote global expansion and change of the Internet. Today, the Internet Society assists the needs of the growing worldwide Internet community in many ways: through its annual INET conference; other sponsored events, tutorials, statistical and market research; advocacy programs; network training workshops for emerging countries; and with publications like its award-winning bimonthly magazine OnTheInternet. The Internet Society is comprised of members from more than 150 countries.

CONTACTS:

Craig Jelinek, the Internet Society
408-395-3858
jelinek@isoc.org