Introduction

• web browsers
• search engines
• chat rooms
• FTP
• images & animation
• regular video & audio
• streaming video & audio
• electronic whiteboards
• MUD's & MOO's
• videoconferencing
• web authoring tools
• push technologies
• site capturing
• intranets

References

Intranets

The protocols used to make information available to all Internet users can be used to make information available only to authorized users as well. When Internet protocols and applications are used in such a manner, the network is referred to as an intranet. These networks can be established in a number of ways, including creating web sites and accessing web servers that can be accessed only from computers located on a local network, protecting web directories with a password, and accessing networks remotely using a virtual private network client (Dean, 2003)

For educators, Intranets can be used for a wide range of purposes. Because access to an Intranet is limited, educators can post more personal information on intranets than can responsibly be posted on the Internet. For example, in many schools images in which students can be identified cannot be posted on the Internet, but those restrictions do not apply to resources on the local area network. Intranets can also be used by educators to access administrative tools; announcements and attendance lists can be posted on Intranets and educators can access student management software to manage grades and similar information.

Resources for intranets:

• The Chicago Public Schools Instructional Intranet (Chicago Board of Education, 2000) provides a model of the type of information and resources that can be provided on the intranet of an educational organization.
• Creating an "intranet concept" (Robertson, 2006) is an article focusing on the steps for planning an effective intranet for any organization.