Internet Homework Helper Frontmatter

Preface
Your friend, the Internet

Spend a bit of time on the Internet, and you may start to feel that it takes on qualities much like a best friend. It's available to spend time with, is glad to help you, introduces you to others, tells you the latest news, likes to play games, is glad to share what it has with you, and is intensely loyal. Well, okay, the intensely loyal part is a bit far-fetched. But get to know it well, and the Internet can certainly be a helpful "friend" when it comes time to do research and homework assignments. In fact, the Internet can actually make learning fun - really.

In my job I travel around the country talking to students, parents, and teachers about how great the Internet is as a tool for learning. That's actually a lot of fun for me, since I truly believe that the Internet is just about the greatest piece of technology ever invented.

I think you'll feel that way too after you discover all the great information online, and experience the thrill of communicating with other people all over the world. There are more than 30 million Internet users worldwide. So, no matter what you're interested in collecting, talking about, or finding out about, you can be sure there are hundreds of others with the same interests and the same problems - homework or otherwise - as you.

I know you don't want a lecture on how to do your homework. No problem - that's up to you. I can tell you this, though - you'll actually enjoy tackling homework assignments - and get them done in record time - using the Internet. This is going to sound hard to believe, but there is so much terrific and helpful information online, that there's no way you could get to use even 10% of it in an entire year.

But, oh, what you can find! Get the lowdown and background on all those famous, but dead, artists by going to the Louvre museum in France. Check out the biographies and written works of famous writers you need to learn about - and read the related comments of other students and teachers. Get help with math, chemistry, and physics problems - finding just what you need by doing a lightening fast keyword search. University, government and research lab databases are only a few keystrokes away. And the best part of all - it's free. So don't hesitate another moment. Become the best student you can be - impress your teacher and your parents and most importantly yourself. It only takes a little extra effort to get the most out of the Internet and to get all the help you need. After all, that's what friends are for.
Gregory Giagnocavo
Email: jgg@classroom.net
P.S.: I know you're really busy. But since you'll be saving so much time using the Internet to help you with your homework, how about sending me some email. Let me know how you're doing and how the Internet helped you.
I get hundreds of email messages a week, but I promise I'll do my best to answer each and every one.

About the Author
As Senior Internet Writer for Classroom Connect, Tim McLain has much experience helping people learn to use the Internet. Now 25, he has been surfing the Net for almost 10 years. He thanks his dad for inciting his interest in computers by buying him a Commodore Pet 2000 computer way back in 1977. In addition to his role as Senior Writer for Classroom Connect, he contributes material for their books, CD-ROMs, and Web site as well as hosting their popular video series. Tim also travels the country giving workshops to teachers who want to incorporate the Internet into their curriculum.

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