Day 2 After the brief Connections session, we jaunted over to one of our institute headquarters, Dupont. We sat attentively listening to Steve talk about the varying images, uses, and different outreaches of the Internet. The Internet was metaphorically referred to as a global village, a superhighway, a playground, and an ocean. Next, the participants gained knowledge of how to begin their Internet connections from their homes and schools. Steve went on to explain the different functions and the corresponding software of the Internet that the participants will begin learning how to use. The software to be introduced at the institute includes: Eudora, NewsWatcher, Fetch (& Anarchie), TurboGopher (& Veronica), Mosaic, and MacSamson.
Our first experience with the Internet was with using Eudora to check our e-mail. The participants learned to check mail, send mail, reply to messages, and save messages. The mailing list for this year's Summer Institute's participants is sum94. Later, we learned how to subscribe to mailing lists, and some of the lucky ones learned to create their own signatures. The participants sent each other messages containing their favorite math resources, and then they sent the workshop mailing list their questions/concerns about the NCTM standards. Both of these messages will be compiled and made available on the Web as quick as I can type up those darn HTML documents. The main page for Sum94 (when it's finally finished) will be located at:
URL: http://olmo.swarthmore.edu/sum94/sum94.html
In the afternoon, we were introduced to NewsWatcher. First, the group was let loose on the Geo News collection of newsgroups. Their first assignment for NewsWatcher was to post an autobiography to the geometry.institutes newsgroup. The bios, along with a picture of each participant, will also be available via the sum94 web site. Next, the group surfed through the full group list. Some were thrilled, others amazed, and even a few overwhelmed. All were amazed by my particular choices of newsgroups, but we won't discuss that here.
Does this seem like enough for one day? The heat was treacherous, the mood of all high, and the learning atmosphere was kicking. Not only was it a productive work day, but the food was superb. Lunch was a delicious concoction of make-your-own sandwiches, fruit, and drinks. To top it all off, the day ended with an exquisite Chinese dinner. The evening will conclude tonight with the three groups of four participants working on the determination of their group projects. Each group has to work in the evenings for the rest of the week on a project dealing with the Internet resources. We are all awaiting this active group's projects.
I will be in correspondence again tomorrow. Good Night :)
--Heather Mateyak-- heather@forum.swarthmore.edu