Computer/Technology Training Software Title
PC120- The Internet
(Using Netscape Communicator)
(File #57)

DESCRIPTION:  PC-120 The Internet provides a comprehensive, CD-ROM based, training program for introducing and teaching all the important concepts, components, and topics involved in getting online and using the Internet.  The lessons are presented in a sequential order so as to introduce, explain, and then apply the topical information. All of the lesson content is presented by digital audio with lots of color, animation, and movement on each screen throughout the entire curriculum, with the exception of the exercises and the quizzes.  There is not a final exam for this program as is found in  PC101.  Other features of the program include: Operational Guide, Index, Table of Contents, Frequently- Asked Questions, and Records.  The Operational Guide provides an audio description of the structure of each section and displays colorful graphics and diagrams to review each navigational tool in the course.  The Index, Table of Contents, and FAQ'S can be used for review and practice of specific topics.  The Records option compiles status reports which outline the lesson and exercises which have been completed, the number of times the student has "visited" the lesson or exercise, the time spent on each lesson, and the quiz scores.  The PC-120 The Internet curriculum provides twenty-two lessons, ten application exercises, and three quizzes.

EVALUATION SUMMARY:  PC120-The Internet is the third program in the Computer Literacy Series from Teknimedia.  I highly recommend PC-120 for use by adult education students, teachers, and tutors, and for students in fifth grade and above in our public school system because students of all ages can learn from this program independently. The entire lesson content is presented through digital audio, and the animation and colorful graphics make the program extremely interesting and easy to use.  It is a great program to use as a complete curriculum with students who have limited Internet experience and need to acquire knowledge in many areas, or for specific technical topics in which students need more experience and application.  My adult students said that they were afraid that they would never be able to understand what the Internet was about, much less use it.  But after completing the PC120 Course, they said that the information made sense to them and that they were finally able to understand how the Internet, web pages, and e-mail worked. Since they are not actually online during the program, my students gained the confidence and knowledge they needed to log-on and begin their Internet experience at home and in school. They liked the bookmarking feature, so they could learn at their own pace.  The only weaknesses we found in this program were that the students could not print out any of the information from the course, and that the program does not refer to and feature screens from the newest Communicator 4.0 version. (However,only one teacher noted the difference.)  As with the other programs in this computer literacy series, PC120 could be integrated into a curriculum centering around the  "Equipped for the Future" standards by preparing adults in their role as a consumer.  We found that PC120 was an invaluable,  professional development tool for teachers and tutors who could learn and review at home.  Teachers found that they used the program as an Internet tutor for their students, many of  whom need Internet experience and training. Since you don't need to be connected to the Internet to use the program, correctional institutions and rural classrooms could finally make this training available to their students.  PC-120 has been aligned to the Virginia Standards of Learning Assessment Program and correlations are available for the Technology Standards for Grades Five through Eight and for the Technology Standards for Instructional Personnel.  PC120-The Internet is an innovative, interactive, and effective Internet training tool which equips teachers and students with the Internet skills they need to obtain the resources and information necessary for success in life and in school.