How has the Internet changed your life?

Nothing in today's society exemplifies change more than the Internet.

Think about your life "online" 10 years ago compared to that today?  How often do you log on to a computer to do work?  From there, how often do you access the Internet on a daily basis?

Personally, as a teacher, the Internet has become the lifeline of my career.  The sad part of this is while I use the Internet anywhere from 5 to 10 times a day...  this is not the case for my students. 

I actually update a classroom blog at www.mrwsclass.org daily to reach my students and their parents/guardians outside of the school.  Also, most of my lesson planning and homework involves using sources and information that is almost completely web based.  Furthermore, all of my attendance and grades are kept via a web based program, which means all of my 5 classes require me to access the Internet 5 times a day at least.  This doesn't even include my personal use of the Internet to complete banking, bill payments, checking email and basic web surfing.  That in it self draws me to the web two to three times a day.

Ten years ago, I probably accessed the Internet about once a day.  I remember having to trek to the student library just to get on a computer and that was mostly just to access a word processor to complete papers.  Back then most research was done still using books in the library!  That was just 10 years ago?

The truth is that the Internet has changed us all for better or worse...  but even more truth lies in those out there that only access the Internet once per day or less.  My belief is that all Americans should access the Internet or have the ability to do so once per day for at least 30 minutes.  Unfortunately because of the underlying cost to do so makes that a far reaching reality.  While many see that as unbelievable, it is undeniably true.  Furthermore, there are even cases of company's going as far as limiting the types of information or what one can access on their personal work computers.  In my opinion, that is like your job saying you can only read The USA Today at work and no other periodical.

In conclusion, the Internet and its access is a change that many Americans have encountered in the past decade.  To some, the change has been embraced and even used to their advantage by creating new and very lucrative careers.  Others have turned their back on this change and question its true power and opportunity.  Overall, it is a change that has become inevitable and one we should take very seriously as more and more of our daily lives require some sort of Internet access...  even those who find it unaffordable or difficult to understand.

Comments

[domb.]

Now explain to me what this internet is again...?

[Rooster]

Domb it's just something people use for porn!

[Mr. W]

The Internet was created to link military personnel from nation to nation for easier and more secure communication. Since that time it has been adapted to create billions in currency for technology companies in the US and abroad. They, like other capitalists have found a forum to bilk hard earned cash from citizens easily manipulated by advertising to pay for pornography and other useless activities. It also a good place to buy garbage from other losers.

[Rooster]

The new Beaks is way too intellectual for our previous readership of 11 fans worldwide.

I guess that’s why we have SpeedyWilly! There it’s all about brats, beers, bears, tits, and hot asses! And of course the topic of new carpet.

[Rooster]

Are we allowed to make humorous beak-like comments on the Mr. W class website?

[Mr. W]

I think just about anything is too intellectual for you... you might want to go read this http://pbskids.org/readingrainbow/