The Internet as a Training Instrument
Project Number Eight – 1992
The current growth of the Internet and the expected implementation of NREN has brought about the realization that accessing this increased information may also become a problem. To this end many are trying to improve the ease of access by the use of gopher programs, CAISs, and WAISs. However, traditional training programs are still common, and the time and effort to train individuals in the workshop settings is costly. This project seeks to find out if the Internet can be an instrument to make training more efficient and effective.
Navigating the Internet: An Interactive Workshop is a test project that will see if the Internet itself can be an instrument to aid in training of individuals. While the workshop uses the Internet to introduce individuals to resources on the Internet, this project can be a forerunner of various types of training programs that will allow the breaking of traditional geographic, disciplinary, administrative, and expense barriers.
On August 21, 1992 a notice was given on PACS-L, an Internet computer conference, that a three week (see attached) workshop would be conducted to introduce the Internet to interested readers. By August 24, 1992 three hundred and twenty seven people requested registration in the workshop. This group represents 36 states and forty one individuals from 15 countries. The group was eclectic–teachers, computer systems managers, company sales representatives, students, professors, school principals and librarians are just a sampling of who is interested in learning how to use the Internet. Of particular importance was that quite a few trainers and networking people, currently providing workshops on the Internet, registered not to learn how to use the Internet, but to see how the Internet would be used as a training instrument.
The problem of how to get information to the busy scholar or businessman is well documented. The Internet can allow participants in a training session the liberty of choosing their own time and place in participation in training programs. This project will test the feasibility of the Internet to overcome some of the traditional training problems of the traditional workshop.
Richard J. Smith
Assistant Director for Technical Service
Dupre Library
University of Southwestern Louisiana
Lafayette, LA 70503
(318) 231-6399
rs@usl.edu
Richard J. Smith learned about use of the Internet as a Doctoral student at the School of Library and Information Science at the University of Pittsburgh in 1989. He started training students about Internet resource in 1990 as a teaching assistant. He continued teaching about the Internet in graduate classes at the Pitt when he became a teaching fellow in the fall of 1990. He still continues Internet training by giving various presentation to librarians and faculty in Louisiana and other states.
Navigating the Internet
An Interactive Workshop
August 10, 1992 through August 28, 1992
Navigating the Internet An Interactive Workshop is intended for new or infrequent users of the Internet who what to know more about the resources of the Internet. The only requirement is that the user have access to the Internet and can read basic mail. UNIX will be the primary operating system for the workshop.
Participants will be sent instructions by e-mail. Responses will be required in several of the sessions. Most sessions should take less than an hour.
Questions and answers will be posted weekly. Individual questions and problems will be worked on by e-mail or phone.
Assistant Director for Technical Services
University of Southwestern LouisianaRegistration: Free
Week 1
- Internet Mail — Instructions on how to use e-mail, reply to e-mail messages, save e-mail messages, send files with e-mail, and how to edit e- mail messages.
UNIX basics — how to create, read, edit, copy, and move file in UNIX.
More UNIX — How to make directories, change directories, and how to make executable files.
User information — How to find addresses with WHOIS, how to finger users, finding files with Archie, and printing basics.
Group questions and answers.
Week 2
- Ftp — File transfer Protocol will be explained with instruction on how to ftp a document.
Ftp — Explanation and instructions on how to ftp pertinent. Requests for Comments (RFC). Reading a file in ftp.
Ftp — Instructions on how and where to get Internet reference guides, an electronic book, a Supreme Court decision, and several PC games.
Instructions on how to subscribe to electronic journals.
Instructions on ftping a directory of electronic journals.
Reading news.
Group questions and answers.
Week 3
- Telnet — Telnet will be explained with instructions on how to get to several OPACs. Capturing a file.
Telnet — Explanation and instructions on getting to and exploring CARL.
Telnet — Explanation and instructions on getting to and exploring Freenet.
Telnet — Using the ERIC database.
Group questions and answers.
Please e-mail or U. S. Post the following information to:
or
Richard J. Smith Dupre Library University of Southwestern Louisiana Lafayette, LA 70503 318 231-6399
Navigating the Internet
An Interactive Workshop
Name: ________________________________________________
Position:_____________________________________________
Organization _________________________________________
Address ______________________________________________
______________________________________________
Telephone: ___________________________________________
Fax: _________________________________________________
E-mail: ______________________________________________
___ I have never used the Internet
___ I have used the following Internet services:
__ E-mail
__ Discussion Groups
__ Telnet
__ FTP
___ I connect to the Internet using the following personal computer or
workstation operating systems:
___ Macintosh
___ Kermit or other software(modem or 9600)
___ Direct connection (telnet connection)
___ DOS
___ Kermit or other software(modem or 9600)
___ Direct connection (telnet connection)
___ Windows
___ UNIX
___ Other, please specify: ___________________________
Please inform non PACS-L readers.
Richard J. Smith