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Photo by Jim Craven Charlotte Wisely, media specialist at Abraham Lincoln Elementary School, helps Michael Russell, 9, with locating information on the Internet available through the Oregon School Library Information System. Project teaches kids to use Internet By VICKI GUARINO The first results of a statewide education project to make the Internet realistic for children just now are popping up on the Web. Study guides and lessons in using search tools are free to all and come courtesy of a local project participant, Medford's Abraham Lincoln School. Lincoln, which opened two years ago with a large and up-to-date computer lab, is one of 10 Oregon elementary schools participating in the state project. The idea is to put the vastness of the Web on a child's scale and perspective. From there, youngsters work on exercises and assignments using the Web as a resource. The study guides, exercises, projects and tests are intended to keep kids from getting lost in cyberspace, says Lincoln school media specialist Charlotte Wisely. "What we've tried to do is narrow it down, so they're not out there just flying around," Wisely says. The project is led by the Oregon School Library Information System, using state and federal funds. OSLIS is coordinating a separate but similar project for secondary school students. South Medford, Crater, Eagle Point and Phoenix high schools are participating in that pilot project. The dual projects have two purposes: to give some order and method to the enormous educational resources on the Net; and to coordinate school Net usage in a way that will drive down costs. Ultimately, project schools want to open students' eyes to the Internet. Lincoln fifth-grader Theresa Vetter says she always has liked searching the Web for interesting sites, but she never knew until last week that she could read entire books on the Web. She was amazed. Some books even have sound effects. The book that classmate Aaron Marlia chose let him set the volume for the roar of the lion, the bellow of an elephant and the cackle of a monkey. "I'm trying to get it perfect," Aaron says. The OSLIS curriculum project has given school media center staff more work to do, but it has given students like Theresa and Aaron a bonus. They have access to electronic books and two large data bases that are part of the pilot project. The project schools are focusing efforts on potential education resources in two large data sources _ on-line World Book Encyclopedia and a sweeping collection of published materials updated daily called SIRS Discovery. Subscriptions to data services can cost schools $1,000 or more annually. The cost limits their use in public schools, media specialists say. OSLIS coordinators expect one benefit of the project to be formation of a coordinated, statewide subscription program that can negotiate discounts for schools. "What we're trying to do is get the cost down," Wisely says. But much of the Net is free, and now, much about how to use the Net in school is free, too. The information is available through Abraham Lincoln's Web site: www.medford.k12.or.us/schools/elem/abel/abemedia . Elementary-age suitable books, the new study guides, and information through OSLIS are available through the site. Links give visitors quick access to dozens of domestic and foreign newspapers. Links also lead to other school programs and services and the Medford district in general. "The kids can even go on here and find out what's for lunch," says Wisely. "It's really cool." Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA