World Wide Web

World Wide Web


According to Webopedia, the World Wide Web is a system of Internet Servers that support specially formatted documents.(1) Documents are formatted in a markup language called Hyper Text Markup Language, or HTML. HTML allows other documents, graphics, audio and video files to link to the site. Access to the World Wide Web is possible through the use of specific applications called Web Browsers.
The development of the World Wide Web can be attributed to an English graduate of Oxford University. In 1980, Tim Berners- Lee went to work as a temporary employee of the Geneva based firm of CERN. He was hired to work as a software consultant. While Berners-Lee was at CERN he wrote a program titled Enquire. The purpose of Enquire was to serve as an “memory substitute” to Berners-Lee. Berners-Lee assignment was completed. However, he did return in 1984.
Upon his return to CERN, Berners-Lee had a vision. Berners-Lee vision consisted of linking information that was stored on computers. Luckily, for Berners-Lee, two technologies were available that enabled Berners-Lee to achieve his vision. An article titled, As We May Think was written in 1945 by Vannevar Bush. Bush described a theoretical system for the storage of information. The storage of the information was based on association. Another technology that influenced the development of the World Wide Web, was the advent of hypertext. Berners-Lee was already familiar with hypertext, since he had used hypertext format to write Enquire.
The technology of the Internet already was in existence. The Internet is a computer network of networks. These networks allow computers to link together. Standardized protocols are used to allow different computers to use different software to communicate.
In today’s contemporary society, the World Wide Web is used extensively. Not only is the World Wide Web used for communicating and social networking, but the World Wide Web is for educational purposes and also business.
Teacher’s can utilize the tools of the World Wide Web to enhance the learning experience of their students. For example, teacher’s can post exams, find lesson plans, and network with other teachers.
Virginia teacher Marilyn Wall has used NASA’s Education Site to introduce her students to hands on science experiments. According to Hall, the majority of her students would not have considered science as a career option. They have constructed balloon rockets http://quest.nasa.gov/lfm/kids/wall.html and have involved their families in star counts.
Marilyn Hall is utilizing the connectivist school of learning. She is using the NASA Site as a learning tool. Since the NASA is a science site, it is be updated frequently.




http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/W/World_Wide_Web.html (1)
http://www.ibiblio.org/pioneers/lee.html
http://www.nasa.gov/home/index.html