Students and Teachers May Benefit from Internet Software Applications

A December 3, 2006 article from The Associated Press reports that Google Inc. (best known for its online search engine) is targeting classrooms for use of its new online word processor, spreadsheet, and other software applications. Rather than loading software and saving files onto personal computers, the online applications allow the user to access software and saved files from any computer with Internet access. Schools might be interested in these online applications because they are being offered free of charge, and would give teachers the opportunity to review student assignments while they are still in progress. Some privacy experts, however, have expressed concern that files saved to a massive online database could be a prime target for computer hackers.

The article is available at the CNN.com Web site.