"The Internet is completely filled with trash and is a breeding ground for mischief." Is this type of attitude the reason W.F. West has been slow on the draw when it comes to making the Internet accessible to everyone? Some schools in this state have been on-line for years, while W.F. West is still in the process of setting up Internet use for students.

According to district officials, the process has been slowed due to funding constraints. While it is going to take a lot of money, using the Internet at school is moving towards reality. According to the W.F. West High School Technology Plan, Internet use in the Tech Center and business labs should be available by May, 1998.

Bond failure

Last year, the people of Chehalis were asked to vote on a bond which would have provided, among other things, the funding necessary for W.F. West to be "hooked in" to the Internet. Dave Chappell, W.F. West Foreign Language Department Chair, and a member of the District Technology Committee said, "It was an extreme frustration to have the bond go down last year simply because not enough people voted."

Committees are currently trying to receive discounts and money from federal and state programs in order to fund technology in the district. "It's moving, but it's moving slowly. Government moves slowly," said Chappell.

Looking forward to the net

Some students at W.F. West are excited about the possibility of having Internet resources available to them. Freshman Becky Campbell said, "I think it's very exciting that the Internet is coming to this school." Campbell currently uses the Internet to find out information about music groups and movies but has also used it for school projects. "We found some things for a history project last year; there was so much information," said Campbell.

Senior Drew Courtney believes that it would make research much easier and more accessible for students. "It would be very convenient since I don't have a computer at home," said Courtney. One aspect of the Internet that Courtney feels is unique is the wealth of information and another is the speed at which one can access it. "It is a very valuable research tool; you can access all types of research that you can't get through the library. And at the library you may have to wait days or weeks for the book that you want to come in, but you won't have that problem with the Internet," explained Courtney.

Potential problems

Senior Debbie Bergman has some apprehensions. "Pornography would be a big problem. It is going to need to be supervised somehow. I would like to have Internet access here, but for research purposes only," Bergman said. However, W.F. West Principal Dr. Linda Smith doesn't think it will be a problem. Smith said, "Students are just going to have to understand the requirements and work with our policy." Chappell said, "The Internet isn't unlike a major metropolis such as Seattle. You have culture and education while also the Skid Row. There may be a dark side to the Internet, but we shouldn't turn our back on all the benefits."

How will the Internet benefit students? Smith said, "The Internet gives us a bigger library, it opens up the world. Students will be able to access a library at Harvard or a museum in London." The Foreign Language Department is also excited. Students will be able to research other countries more accurately, share information, communicate with native speakers, and do group projects with students around the world. Chappell said, "The subject I'm teaching is linked to other parts of the world. I can't afford to take every student to a Spanish-speaking country. What could be better than a resource where I can bring the foreign country to the classroom?"

Fad or future?

There are some people that believe the Internet is just a fad that will pass us by in a few years. Chappell is adamantly against that theory. "TVs and VCRs were thought of as fads when they first came out, and now we have a TV and VCR in every classroom. The Internet isn't going to go away, it will change and reshape our society. This district cannot hide from that very long, without being left in the dust."