The World Wide Web, usually referred to simply as "the Web," is what most people think about when they talk about the Internet. In a nutshell, the Web is just a system for displaying, formatting and accessing multimedia information over a network such as the Internet.

If you're new to the Internet, the articles in the technology section of YouthLearn will give you a crash course of the key concepts. If you're reading this online, you probably know about much of this information already, but relatively new users will find it helpful. Once you understand the simple concepts, start the kids on exploring this wonderful resource as well.

When you're ready to start teaching about the Internet in class, you can use the following general approach to introduce some of the most important concepts:

1. Start by getting the children prepared with journal and other conceptual activities before letting them get on the computers, such as this sample activity. Kids should understand that technology is just a tool, like a pencil, and some tools are better for certain jobs. We first need to understand what we want to do and why before deciding which tool is best for doing it.

2. Introduce the basic browser and the concepts of URLs and links. Create your own Web page with preselected links about a certain topic you are studying. Have the kids visit a few of the sites in pairs at the computers, then bring them back together to talk about what they saw and learned.

3. Because finding information on the Internet is such an important concept, spend a few days on a classification and categorizing activity to help kids understand navigating the Web and online directories. This exercise teaches about much more than the Web; it develops critical thinking and organizing skills for all aspects of life. Other information about search engines, directories and educational resources will help as well.

4. Slowly introduce more of the browser's functions, as you would when introducing any new technology to kids. Have them visit more preselected sites for practice and continued discussion. Use this time to work on topics such as the quality of information versus misinformation, use of multimedia, vocabulary and more. Be sure to talk about safety on the Internet, but in an age-appropriate way that doesn't scare the kids.

5. Begin introducing email and other communications applications. In many ways, those functions are the most powerful part of the Internet because they let kids talk to real people rather than just access information.

6. Once the children understand the basic concepts of navigating the Web and using browsers, go on to projects that involve creating a Web page.