The American Journey © 2007

Chapter 32: New Challenges

Web Lesson Plans

Introduction
In this chapter you have read about the challenges the United States faced at the end of the twentieth century, such as Desert Storm and the impeachment and trial of President Clinton. At the beginning of the twenty-first century the United States faced the task of uniting the nation after a close and bitter presidential election and the declaration of a war against terrorism. Throughout this period innovations in technology have improved communication, weaponry, and information systems. The number of hosts and visitors on the World Wide Web has increased over 100,000 percent since its beginning. In this activity students will take a closer look at the past and future of computer and Internet technology.

Lesson Description
Students will visit a PBS Web site feature about the history of the Internet. They will read through a time line, study significant individuals, and look at the future of the Internet. After answering several questions they will create a bulletin board display or a multimedia presentation about the history of the Internet.

1. The learner will be able to sequence the events involved in the creation and growth of the Internet.
2. The learner will be able to analyze the impact of profit on the growth of the Internet.
3. The learner will be able to summarize important facts in the history of the Internet in a visual presentation.

1. Apple and IBM
2. Tim Berners-Lee, a computer programmer at CERN in Switzerland, developed and named the World Wide Web.
3. Congressman Boucher proposed dropping the restrictions on the Internet and allowing citizens to have more control. This included allowing individuals to make a profit from business on the Internet. The motive of profit led to dynamic growth in the use of the Internet.
4. The volume will increase by such a huge amount that the Internet will slow down or shut down completely.
5. Students' displays or presentations will vary.