The Internet has become part of our lives. Every day, new cyber-terminology surrounds us...Information Superhighway, World Wide Web, on-line, download, www-dot... It’s clear that the Internet is currently and continually affecting how we work, play, and communicate. But how will it contribute to early childhood education, specifically to professional development?

We are only beginning to tap the potential the Internet has as a source for training and staff development. As its technology continues to evolve, the early childhood community will need to continue to brainstorm ways in which we can use its power to deliver information, share ideas, and improve our skills. We can start by familiarizing ourselves with the Internet resources currently available. These resources range from consultant directories and conference information to parent resources and on-line professional workshops.

Today, one of the most popular functions of the Internet is the World Wide Web. Its ease of use and short learning curve make it a good place to start. With minimal instruction, early childhood professionals can learn the basics of navigation quickly and can begin to find the early childhood resources that already exist on the Web. What follows are eight ways to use the World Wide Web to support staff development in your center.

1. Locating Innovative Staff Development

Many program directors struggle with the problem of locating high-quality training specialists to deliver on-site training for staff. They learn about innovative training programs and individuals through word-of-mouth and professional networking. Now, this networking can include the World Wide Web. Some organizations and individuals have developed Web sites to promote their training workshops and materials. They are able to take advantage of the Web’s visual capabilities to post photographs and graphics that enhance their text-based descriptions of the services they offer.

Once you have connected to the Internet, you can bring up any of the common search engines, such as Yahoo! or Alta Vista, type in a keyword, and be shown a list of sites that provide information on numerous training programs. To make this process more efficient and to include trainers who may not have an Internet site, a new Web site dedicated to professional development in early childhood education has been launched recently. Early Childhood Training Options (http://trainingoptions.com) includes a searchable database of training organizations and individuals. Typing in a keyword will provide a list of possible trainers with complete contact information. Early Childhood Training Options also includes articles on innovative training programs and tips for training specialists. Both of these features make this Web site useful to individuals providing staff development as well as individuals purchasing it.

2. Finding Print Resources

Professional associations, such as the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and the National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities (NICHY), regularly produce articles, brochures, and books that can be used to support training either as handout material or follow-up reading. Some of these resources can be downloaded directly; others can be ordered for little or no cost. Scholarly articles can be found at the ERIC Clearinghouse on Elementary and Early Childhood Education (http://ericps.ed.uiuc.edu/ericeece.html). The Clearinghouse identifies and selects documents and journal articles in the areas of child development, education, and care of children from birth through early adolescence; the teaching of young children; and parenting and family life. They also publish digests and monographs, answer questions, and circulate information on the Internet.

3. Locating Professional Conferences

Many professional associations promote their national and international conferences on the World Wide Web. Usually they provide a preliminary agenda of workshops and keynote speakers as well as registration and accommodation information. The National Association for the Education of Young Children (www.america-tomorrow.com/naeyc) routinely promotes their national conference and their Institute for Professional Development. They also post highlights of the conference for those who were unable to attend.

4. Lesson Plans, Curriculum Ideas, and Materials

While many Web sites focus on lesson plans and activities for K-12 education, Web sites dealing specifically with early childhood education are limited in number. But with some searching, excellent sites can be found. One site that’s fun to visit is Gryphon House (www.ghbooks.com). In addition to promoting its new publications, Gryphon House provides a number of feature areas of interest to teachers and child care providers. One such area is called "Activities"; in it, activities from Gryphon House publications are available and can be printed for immediate use.

5. Dialogue With Colleagues

A growing number of discussion areas allow early childhood educators and child care providers to share their knowledge with one another. In these areas, you can post a question or comment and check back in a few days to see how others have responded. Some topics generate numerous responses from which you are able to glean a variety of perspectives. To join a discussion, or simply to "listen in," visit the discussion area at the Early Childhood News magazine Web site (www.earlychildhoodnews). Subjects range from teaching tips to dealing with temper tantrums.

6. Ask the Experts

There are numerous Web sites that serve as a "podium" for nationally recognized authors and practitioners. Frequently, these sites include a question-and-answer section where you can ask your question just as you would if you were sitting in the audience. The expert then answers the question and posts the text on the Web site where you and other users can read and print the answer. A wonderful example of this style is Dr. Greene’s Housecalls (www.drgreene.com) Dr. Greene is a pediatrician who responds to general questions regarding health and child development on his Web site. He also maintains previous questions and answers in an archive so you can search for specific subjects he may have talked about in the past.

7. Resources for Parents

Answering parents’ questions and providing high-quality information is part of an early childhood professional’s role. This role has gotten easier with the proliferation of Web sites for parents. These sites include topical articles, product information, parenting tips, and on-line chats. Some suggested sites to visit are Parent Soup (www.parentsoup.com) and The Parent Place (www.parentsplace.com). Numerous sites also exist for families with children with disabilities. Examples of these include Parents Helping Parents (www.php.com) and Our Kids (http://rdz.stjohns.edu/library/support/our-kids/).

8. On-Line Workshops

On-line workshops which revolve around a specific topic and include a nationally known expert on the subject are a developing practice on the Web; we can expect to see more on-line training in the future. Generally, these sites provide text-based reading material for the participants to read and discuss on-line with the author and other participants. The workshop usually lasts several weeks, during which various activity-based assignments are given. Some of these workshops are open to "browsers" so you can follow along, reading the articles and dialogue without actually participating. The National Center for the Improvement of Practice (www.edc.org/FSC/NCIP/) provides workshops on technology and education and has presented several that focus on early childhood.

Conclusion

Clearly the eight examples mentioned here will expand and grow in the future. What exists today is the beginning of exciting, new opportunities in professional development. The Internet depends upon the participation of its visitors. Therefore, we, as early childhood professionals, can help influence the future directions of the Internet by becoming familar with its use today.

Nancy Ettaro Laskaris is an early childhood educator/technology coordinator in a San Diego, CA, program serving infants and toddlers with disabilities. She is also co-founder of Early Childhood Training Options, a professional development Web site for early childhood educators, early interventionists, and caregivers. She can be contacted at 619-688-1597 or by e-mail at nancy@trainingoptions.com.

 ************************************************************************

Early Childhood Training Options

Several months ago, two veteran early childhood practitioners began "cruising the Net" and brainstorming ways in which Internet technology could support staff development and training in early childhood programs. They began to find an assortment of training resources available on the Internet. These resources ranged from Web sites providing downloadable information to organizations describing their training products and workshops. The information they received, however, was incomplete and fragmented; it required a great deal of time to track down, a commodity most early childhood professionals just don’t have.

In response to their experiences, they created Early Childhood Training Options. Its founders, Nancy Ettaro and Margie Wagner, are committed to locating the best in training specialists, programs, and products, and to putting them all in one easy-to-access Web site (www.trainingoptions.com). The site, which premiered in September 1997, includes a searchable database of training providers and in-depth articles spotlighting training programs and products. Early childhood professionals can easily enter a topic and search for trainers to provide staff development on-site. Topics include all areas of early childhood education, child development, and service to children with disabilities.

Early Childhood Training Options also serves as a resource for training specialists. Monthly articles on the "Art of Training" and links to professional associations, ERIC, and other resources help training providers hone their training skills. Future features on www.trainingoptions.com will include on-line discussion groups, product reviews, and e-mail networking.