Using the Internet
- The Internet is the world's largest store of information and it is still growing
- The Internet is truly global. With a click of the mouse button you and your class has access to views and ideas from people all over the world
- It is a cheap form of communication. An email message is cheaper to send than a fax
- It provides an opportunity for both teacher and students to publish their work for a global audience
- It affords other children and classes in Irish schools and all over the world the opportunity to visit your classroom through email, video conferencing and school websites
- The Internet is can be a very effective tool for co-operative learning. Children will talk about, discuss and even argue over information retrieved from the Internet
- The Internet has a wealth of resource materials for the teacher, both educational and administrative
- Newsgroups allow teachers swap ideas with other teachers all over the world
What do you need to access the Internet?
Before you can access Internet you will need the following.
- A computer
- A modem
- A telephone line
- An Internet account through an Internet Service Provider (ISP). The ISP you select should have a local telephone number or an 1891 number.
- Special software from your ISP that configures your computer so that it can connect to the ISP computer to access the Internet
- An Internet Browser
- An email program (if not included with your Internet browser)
The main Internet Service Providers in Ireland are: -
Note: The NCTE provides links to other websites for your information. Most of these sites are not under our control and the NCTE is, therefore, not responsible for their content.
As part of the IT2000 Initiative all schools were provided with a free Internet account from eircom and approximately an hour per day toll free connection over the telephone system.
Free personal Internet accounts are now commonplace. The term "Free Internet Access" refers to the absence of a subscription fee. Phone costs are generally not included. Also the cost of calling Technical Support can be quite expensive with free accounts.
Basic costs:
Costs vary depending on the ISP you choose.
Extra costs:
Technical Support. Check out the call charges before contacting the ISP. It may be cheaper to send them e-mail from another computer if that is possible.
What your Internet account typically includes:
- Unlimited access to the World Wide Web.
- An email account with one more email addresses, depending on your ISP.
- Access to Newsgroups
- Space on the ISP computer, called a server, where you can put a personal website.
With time and practice you can also avail of other Internet services.
It is important to remember that the charge for your Internet account does not include the telephone charges with most ISPs. The charges will appear as local calls on you telephone bill.
Most ISPs have 1891 numbers, this means that when you use your Internet connection it will be a reduced rate local call from anywhere in the country. If you are a eircom subscriber the Internet access calls are listed separately on your bill.
Calls to 1891 numbers are changed at a special Internet rate:
| Rate | Price per minute |
| Daytime | 1.95c |
| Evening | 0.97c |
| Weekend | 0.97c |
| Note: All calls are subject to a min. call charge of 6.35c. | |
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