Edmonton Journal from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada • 12

B2 The Edmonton Journal, Sunday, February 18, 1996 Smooth skating at Dutch party Tough rules keep (ids out of Internet dirt JAMES STEVENSON Journal Staff Writer ft if -jSsK DUNCAN THORNE Journal Staff Writer This is nothing to be proud of, but I suspended two students from using computers this week. At the end of class they had lingered and were downloading jokes files." Don Blackwell, curriculum co-ordinator, I is? 1 1 Edmonton The Internet is a wonderful teaching tool but has its dark side, say teachers. Users can connect to areas featuring hate or pornographic materials, or harmless but time-wasting games. The public school district is grappling with ways to make sure students stay on task. Teachers have the choice of trying to block unwanted material or persuading kids there are better things to look at.

There's software to do the blocking but it Kate Chegwin Junior High School "I spent time last Wednesday talking to a parent who has chosen not to allow access at Edmonton It was a good day for sun, skating and koek en zope. Mild February weather helped bring at least 4,000 people out to Hawrelak Park Saturday afternoon for the fourth annual Silver Skate Festival organized by the Netherlands consulate. "The main object for me is having a fun day in a dull month that everyone can afford," said Rikke Dootjes, Edmonton's consul for the Netherlands. Festival-goers got a good taste of Netherlands skating party fare with koek en zope loosely translated into hearty pea soup and hot chocolate, along with croquettes made from flour, meat, spices and bouillon. Bad luck threatened the skating festival this year when the pond at Hawrelak never opened for skating because of weak and uneven ice.

But city crews saved the day by building a temporary oval nearby and flood- ing it twice a day for the past week. Volunteers clad in traditional costumes gave the festival a true Dutch feel, but Dootjes hopes the growing festival will become more a celebration of winter than just an ethnic event. The Dutch Canadian Club and the Windmill Club represent some of the 70,000 Dutch Canadians in Alberta. The event raised nearly $1,000 for the Chil- dren's Health Foundation in Edmonton. home because the computer is less super vised.

has shortcomings. "We do have a concern that a monitor "I know that as soon as I go to block some Ik: I fj i could be turned away from the teacher." thing it becomes a carrot, 'Can I get He says Kate Chegwin distributes its says teacher Denis Chalifoux of Internet computers across the school Ross Sheppard high school. instead of restricting them to a lab. But it "Students will go and hack it. It's better to see that they understand can switch connections off when there nobody supervising an area.

their obligations when going online, Chalifoux says. "This is nothing to be proud of, but I sus "We take the view we 11 educate the kids, pended two students from using computers this week. At the end ot class they had lin and monitor them. We're putting together a policy on acceptable use, for kids to sign." gered and were downloading jokes files. Pat Redhead, technology consultant, at So tar there have been no proDlems, ne Edmonton Public Schools, says teachers are Bruce Edwards, The Journal Hank and Hillie Sierink on ice in their Klompendancer costumes at the Silver Skate Festival in Hawrelak Park on Satruday says.

"For most kids, if you provide something they're interested in they don't want to abuse it." being appropriately cautious. "As kids learn about their responsibilities Don Blackwell, curriculum co-ordinator and rights, then you loosen up, Redhead says. at Kate Chegwin junior high in Mill Woods, says his school is also developing a policy. TIRED OF GLASSES? "Schools develop their discipline policies with the students, so they honor them. That's "We had a parent meeting last week.

We re what we need to do with the Internet and the Week of Feb. 18-24 getting parents to endorse it," Blackwell says. 4 appropriate use of computers in general." Excimer Laser Correction of Nearsightedness, Farsightedness and Astigmatism INTERNET Continued from B1 NORTHERN ALBERTA A rule of thumb is $2,500 for each com Here's how some kids at Grace Martin school rate the Internet There will always be room for books, but a lot of information will be in the puter and as much again for software and I. Hmm EYE INSTITUTE inc. 424-4800 Dr.

D. Climenhaga, Dr. H. Climenhaga, Dr. E.

Hodges technical support over three to five years, she says. For 540,000 students across Alberta Internet in the future. For that about 90,000 computers, or 80,000 purchases beyond the existing machines which are powerful enough. people doing research Call it $400 million, including software and projects, this will be a good source." support 10 times what schools will get from the province. For Edmonton Public the Meaders of i Tomorrow, Photo radar will be set up at these Chigbo Ikejiani, Grade 6 recommended spending would be at least locations at various times this week.

$30 million. The locations are not the only areas Redhead, a consultant for the district, is for radar and are general locations only. also head of its technology steering commit 51 st Avenue and Calgary Trail tee. 2. Yellowhead Trail and 127th Street 3.

137th Avenue and 127th Street "We want the technology to be available "Most of us are excited about the Internet It's easier to find stuff than in books and the information is up to date." Mackenzie Grisdale, Grade 5 4. 34th Avenue and Calgary Trail South 5. 107A Avenue and 95th Street across the curriculum.This isn't a computer-literacy strategy. It's using computers appropriately in math, science and so on. WE'RE LOOKING FOR TOMORROWS LEADERS Individuals, community groups and young volunteers are invited to nominate young people who deserve recognition for their devotion to helping others.

This unique recognition program is proudly sponsored by AGT and supported by media sponsor The Edmonton Journal. Deadline for nominations is March 15, 1996. Call the Volunteer Centre of Edmonton at 482-6431 for details. list is released by Edmonton Police Service to We re not suggesting it essential that raise awareness of high-collision locations in the city: For up-to-date photo radar locations, call JoumalPhone at 944-0600 and press 6800. Has a young volunteer the hungry with the elderly fellow students they cared your heart? every elementary child have access to the Internet," says Redhead.

"But by high school it becomes essential." Trustees will consider a draft of her com mittee's plan at the Feb. 27 board meeting. Express yourself Put It in a letter Read what our readers think on the The plan, Improving Student Learning with "A book would have a glossary for complicated words. The Internet doesnt The Internet is so big it's sometimes hard to find what you need." Jean-Paul Montambault, Grade 5 Technology, calls tor LETTERS I regular access to technology, all sub page jects, for students and teachers; I guidelines for school offices and for ser The Edmonton VOLliSRCENTffi lor EDMONTON "Journal vice and support from central office; Journal tG7 and all schools to be part of the planning. The draft says that by 1999 it's essential Subscribe today 498-SSOO students use word processors in Grade 3 and the Internet in Grade 12.

It considers as optional the use of the Internet by Grade 9. One big problem is the uneven distribu "I checked the Internet and got lots on betting, gambling, gambling addiction. Our library has no books on gambling. I went to the public library and we tion of computers across the district. As many as 13 schools have no computers that are available to students and powerful enough for the job.

Kate Chegwin, a Mill Woods junior high school, is a technology leader in the city. It put about five books on hold." Kara Papsdorf, Grade 5, researching gambling addiction got onto the Internet last November. But so far only some of its computers are online, says Don Blackwell, school curriculum co-ordinator. The school is moving cau tiously while teachers get a sense of how they and students can use the Internet and electronic mail. "Everyone who has surfed the net knows "It's pretty good.

It's easier than searching in books. I did a search and found a whole bunch of things, but I dont know yet if they are that useful." Sarah Cowman, Grade 5 i ii ri how much time you can waste," he says. "In the first go-round we let students browse and gave them pointers. 17 A A Trip for Two to We have had some of our Grade 9 students doing research at an entry level on the Inter net." Kate Chegwin is running Project InterAct, with five feeder elementary schools. Writer Lyle Weis is helping students at each school work together on-line to publish articles in an electronic forum.

MP The enthusiasm is great I don't think that'll die. Also there's a very positive response from parents. In fact they covered a large portion of the cost of our lab." Teacher Laurie Newton Ross Sheppard High School has had a cou ple of computers on the Internet for four M.P.A A.J 11 'TnA years and more recently added others to the hook-up, says teacher Denis Chalifoux. TW Including return airfare Chalifoux says the Net is a source of com puter-based tutorials in a range of subjects Three nights deluxe hotel accommodation some of them covering an entire course. He expected the advanced students to ben Find more sses Journal Two day passes to experience WaterWorld information efit the most Instead, the biggest difference is with the less academic ones.

"We've got on. AUv War Spaotaoular these kids excited about learning, and some httpyvvvvw.southam.romedrnontonjournal times it's hard to get them motivated." Ten lucky runners up will receive a pair of passes to a St "Journal Presents Qrr 2 ClNEPlEX ODEON mtAtmis (Subject to pass restrictions!) TO ENTER: Complete this ballot with all your picks and mail to: "ACADEMY AWARDS CONTEST, The Edmonton (downtown 10006 101 St. or Eastgate 9301 49 BEST 3 James Cromwell. Babe ttST PICTURE SUPPORTING Ed Harris. Apollo 13 ACTOR 3 Brad Pitt, 12 Monkeys 3 Tim Both, Rob Roy 3 Kevin Spacey, The Usual Suspects rJ 5j 3 Apollo 13 Babe 3 Braveheart The Postman(ll Postino) 3 Sense and Sensibility 3 Nicolas Cage, Leaving Las Vegas 3 Richard Dreyfuss.

Mr. Holland's Opus 3 Anthony Hopkins. Nixon 3 Sean Perm, Dead Man Walking 3 Massimo Troisi. The Postman(H Postino) rcxEnuy uay truss rcxEnuy uay truss I BEST ACTOR 3 Joan Allen, Nixon 3 Kathleen Oumlan, Apollo 13 BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS Includes: Full Day All area Lift Passes Full Dfiv St! Cental BEST 3 Susan Sarandon, Dead Man Walking 3 Mira Sorvino. Mighty Aphrodite 3 Mare Wmnlngham, Georgia 3 Kate Wrislet, Sense and Sensibility 3 Chris Noonan, Babe 3 Mel Gibson.

Braveheart 3 Tan Robbirs. Dead Man Walking 3 Mike Figgis. Leavng Las Vegas 3 Michael Radford, The Postmark Postino) BEST DIRECTOR For op to Four Immed. Family Members, ACTRESS 3 Elisabeth Shue. Leaving Las Vegas Valid I.D.

required. Add. family member is only $1 1 3 Sharon Stone. Casino 3 Meryl Street The Bridges of Madison County 3 Emms Thompson, Sense and Sensibility I CONTEST RULES: II. Entry aeadma: noon.

Thursday. March 21. 1 995 only i yg 3. 9 "wn thvi ona iv'iU my. ta wmars aal ba choaan by RQbblt Address.

ranooni draw msm aR oonact amnaa. 4. no conact eilnai. Via wfntww rtanrtad or baas of cloaeat to conact C1 ukimas of Tha Eoi'io'uii Jou i ial Cwaoia Odeon Postal Code. CityTown.

I ajmay manaiata an) not anQjoa to amar oomaaL A Ptwui (day). Phone (evening) jv. 7. Dacamof judgeaeMnal. I 'ai am non da 'snaLMe ad non eaci ai vaauia No cash aoosmjta Prcsi mm oa accaptao as awardad.

I Bwtom datas may apply on Unveraal Studoa Hi 2S -Bal The Edvartxi Journal Moaywooo pealea. t. 10 Soma laaliifiuiw appy Ci'i if Ooapai 'O Uw-w C-i Smo.