My daughter, Karen, reminded me the other day of a phenomenon that occurred with startling frequency in the latter years of my teaching career. With the Internet so prevalent in today's world, the use of books, magazines, and other printed matter is being shunned by an alarming number of students. When given an assignment to research and write a report, for instance, students feel that the Internet will provide all the information they need.

I have nothing against the Internet. I use it almost every day in some fashion, whether to Google the name of an individual or event, or to unearth information on a person or organization. However, I am extremely careful about which web sites I use. Since anyone can post material on the Internet, the validity of information is very much a concern. I cannot assume the information provided by a web site is accurate, unless the web site is maintained by a reputable organization. In some cases, the information is downright incorrect or even hateful.