INTERNET/BITNET (External Networks)
===================================

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TOOL
-------------------------

An international network of tens of thousands of computers 
and millions of users. Operating much like the telephone 
system, these networks provide access to a multitude of 
remote computer services and users.

IMPORTANT FEATURES OF TOOL
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Electronic Mail: Exchange messages with other network 
inhabitants. These inhabitants might be human or otherwise. 
You can also join worldwide discussion groups on different 
topics.

Remote Log-in: Do you need to check on the status of a book 
in the ASU library? How about a book in the National Library 
of Australia? Do you need to track weather patterns on an 
hourly basis for several areas of the country?

File Transfer: Literally hundreds of thousands of programs 
and data files are available. Graphics programs, statistical 
programs, the latest virus protection, and many others are 
available.

WHO WOULD USE THIS TOOL?
------------------------
   
Students: Conduct research across the globe. Join 
discussions with other students, faculty, and professionals 
in an area of interest to you.

Faculty: Maintain contact with others in your field. Join 
the global faculty lounge. Establish "exchange" programs 
between your students and students in other parts of the 
world.

Professional Staff: There are discussion groups already 
formed for all areas of administration and student support.

HOW DOES THE TOOL SUPPORT EFFECTIVE AND LEARNING?
-------------------------------------------------

If the implementation of ETL in your classroom would be 
facilitated by increased communication with nationwide and 
worldwide sources, Internet 
should be investigated. The Internet is, in the truest 
sense, a tool.  Just like the telephone, the device isn't 
the important part, but rather who and what is on the other 
end. In the case of INTERNET, the other end is the world-
wide academic community.

CONTACT PERSON
--------------

Vance Williams, DIST/Training Services  731-8288