The Unrealized Potential of the Internet

The role of the Internet in teaching and research has been given too little attention in mathematics education, particularly in developing countries and underserved segments of the population of developed countries. Those with inadequate Internet connectivity lack access to the research of others and experience difficulty in achieving recognition for their own work. Exchange of ideas in their formative stage as well as the distribution of completed writing is essential for full participation in the research community. Similarly, use of the Internet to share experience and innovation in teaching and to train teachers in-service and pre-service is a cost-effective means of instituting widespread improvements, particularly with respect to increasing access for groups such as girls, adult learners, rural or disadvantaged populations, and the learning disabled. For the learners themselves, the ability to acquire information via the Internet can transform their educational experience. Although there is concern about the hegemony of developed nations in the Internet environment, the solution is inclusiveness, not isolation, as well as sharing within domestic culture. Although investment will be required, new technology and focus on community-based access will reduce the costs of providing adequate communications infrastructure.