Benefits of Commercialization

Electronic Commerce

Just what is electronic commerce? Writing in the ( Journal of Computer Mediated Communication), Charles Steinfield of Michigan State University states that electronic commerce can mean different things to different groups. The ( Electronic Commerce Resource Center) uses a definition that focuses primarily on electronic interactions between businesses and minimizes the role of consumers in this process. On the other hand the ( National Telecommunications and Information Administration) (NTIA) uses a more inclusive definition that encompasses any commercial activity that uses any form of electronic technology. ( General Introduction) for this section, we will use the NTIA definition of electronic commerce that includes any of the following activities:

Bringing products to market;
Matching buyers with sellers;
Communicating with government in pursuit of commerce; and
delivering electronic goods. ( NTIA Office of the Assistant Secretary)

Benefits to Business

In the early 1990's an Internet business meant a company that provided the hardware or software necessary for individuals to use the Internet. America On Line (AOL) could connect customers to their friends or offices and Netscape could help browsers find their way around. Sensing a new marketplace, retailers quickly entered the arena. Encryption technology soon made transactions safer, and the marketplace expanded. ( BBN Timeline) Today a whole category of marketing businesses and magazines has grown to help companies provide goods and services on the Internet. One such example is ActivMedia's report on the "Top 100 Retail E-Commerce Websites" which was featured in the February 19, 1999 InternetNews. For $1,295 businesses can purchase an analysis of leaders' strategies, marketing techniques, and site performance evaluations to use as a guide for their own business development. Suppliers, distributors, and retailers of hard goods can benefit from the usefulness of the Internet as well. Some businesses choose to expand a traditional business to include a presence on the Internet. Others such as top performers Amazon.com, Outpost.com, and AutoWeb are companies which operate exclusively on the Web. ( Report: Top E-commerce Sites Doing $100 Million-Plus Annually) Small companies are able to access a global market, too. Because of lower start-up investment costs on the Internet, these small companies can compete with larger companies to attract customers. ( A Framework for Global Electronic Commerce) The Internet can be used to create or expand a client base. The Internet provides access to consumers around the world. Internet users can also be helpful in providing information about product analysis, advice, or help with problems. Before investing in costly goods or services, businesses can request information from others who have purchased the same goods and services. If time is indeed money, the Internet provides fast access to the office for travelers or business people, rapid access to information necessary for decision making, or instant dissemination of product information. In addition, businesses can obtain expert advice and help, recruit new employees, communicate with peers, or watch how competitors are solving problems similar to their own. ( Internet for Businesses) Many businesses keep a web site whose audience is its own employees. By using the Intranet employees can explore the latest developments on benefits, products, and what the CEO is thinking. ( Internal Webs Give Companies a New Solution to an Old Problem)

Benefits to Consumers

Perhaps the biggest benefit to consumers is that the Internet allows consumers access to a global marketplace. Carey Heckman of the Stanford Law and Technology Policy Center writes that the consumer gains more powerful and efficient purchasing in the electronic marketplace ( Gateways to the Global Market: Consumers and Electronic Commerce) In addition, the shopping is convenient. Without going out into the rain or snow, the consumer can compare prices or shop for related products from various suppliers. The consumer can order and pay for the purchases without leaving home or work. ( A Framework for Global Electronic Commerce) With Internet access to well-designed web sites, the consumer can control the amount of information she gleans. The consumer may hear audio, see video, or view the product in a virtual environment. Because the supplier does not have the expense of printing and maintaining hard copies of product information, more information is likely to be available. Suggestions for product use can be added to the minimal technical data. The information is more likely to remain current when a company does not have to scrap brochures and catalogs. Thus the consumer can get the latest updates as soon as they become available. The information is the same for all consumers regardless of their race, gender, or ethnicity. Many consumers shop on the Internet because global price competition can result in lower prices. Lower transaction costs for the supplier can also save the consumer money. The cost of handling Internet orders is a fraction of the cost of telephone sales or sales in a retail store, and most orders can be made any time of the day or night, all week long. ( Gateways to the Global Market: Consumers and Electronic Commerce) As Internet shopping has become more common, protections are emerging for the consumer. Organizations such as ( Consumer World) have evolved to help consumers navigate the waters of the Internet marketplace. Consumers who have a complaint about the products or services they bought online can send it to the ( Blacklist of Internet Advertisers) to warn others. In many ways the pioneering spirit of help and cooperation that marked the beginnings of the Internet continue today.

Benefits to Education

Corporate Sponsored Education Resources

Another area of commercialism affecting education are the sites sponsored by corporations with a wide variety of services for education. These offer many of the same resources offered by Universities such as Web 66 from the University of Minnesota, however, corporate logos are very evident.

AT&T Learning Network: Sponsored by AT&T with hundreds of teacher resources.
AT&T Learning Network's AskLN Service: An online question answering service for teachers, administrators, media specialists, and anyone who is interested in using the Internet and other technologies as effective classroom tools.
Pitscho's Launch to Asking an Expert!: A list of sites and email addresses where you can find experts to answer your questions. Categories include:Science/Technology, Career/Industry, Health, Internet/Computer, Recreation/Entertainment, Education/Personal Development, International/Cultural and Resources.
EdWeb: Andy Carvin's compilation of Education resourses and research.
Education World: Sponsored by American Fidelity Educational Services. Lots of great lesson plans, sites of the week, using the interenet in the curriculum, etc. And of course, financial planning offered by the sponsor.
Knowledge Network Explorer: The official web sit of the Pacific Bell education program. Includes Blue Web'n and Filamentality, along with lessons and learning resources.
Zap Me!: Corporation offering "free computers" for education with strings attached.

Paid Subscription Services

Many corporations are also offering subscription services available for a yearly and/or project specific fee.

Scholastic Network: Internet curriculum service for grades K-8. Contents include interactive projects and activities correlated to National Standards; direct personal connections to a variety of people in the global community; Web Guide, an exclusive Internet search engine; and a wide variety of teacher resources. (Note: Scholastic will be free in the 1999-2000 school year)
Encyclopedia Britannica Online: A completely searchable multimedia version of the Encyclopedia Britannica
CCCnet: Student and Teacher resources in Math, Science, Social Studies, Reading and Language Arts.
Educational Structures: Custom curriculum delivered by the Internet. Extensive library of lesson plans and educational resources in Mathematics, Social Studies, Science, and Language Arts.
Electronic Library: Search using multiple features to access full-text magzines and newspapers, newswires, books, transcripts and thousands of pictures and maps.
BOXERmath.COM: Comprehensive math learning environment covering Introductory Algebra, Intermediate Algebra, and Trigonometry.
globalearn.com: Live, interactive expeditions for students around the world.
TIES: Technology & Information Educational Services education projects are designed to show real-world learning applications keyed to national standards.
JASON Project: Year-round scientific expeditions designed to excite and engage students in science and technology and to motivate and provide professional development for teachers. Next year's expedition "Going to Extremes" will trace the path of ocean and space research exploration.
MIddle Passage Voyage: Distance learning interdicsilinary curriculum program following the odyssey of Captain Baill Pinkney as he retraces the original slave trade route from Africa to the New World.
Sites ALIVE!: Join students at field schools exploring the world. Semester-long learning expeditions include: Oceans Live!, Rainforest Live!, Class Afloat Live! and Wetlands and Fisheries Live!
E-Tutor: Online learning through lessons for students in primary, intermediate, middle school and high school using Internet resources.
The Brainium: Ultimate online science destination for teachers, students and families focusing on science education for Grades 4-8 featuring interactive learning through educational games, activities and animated adventures.
ONLINE Education: Monthly newsletter containing ready-to use lesson plans and activities that integrate online content with the more traditional classroom materials.
LightSpan: Lightspan's core product, Lightspan Achieve Now TM, is a comprehensive curriculum program for elementary schools, which includes interactive software and teacher materials in reading, language arts and mathematics as well as integrated assessment and extensive on-site professional development. Lightspan also provides two Internet products, The Lightspan Network® and Lightspan Local Connect®, that help schools harness the power of the Internet to enhance their curriculum and school communications.
Inet-Edu: Offers educational content aggregation, packaging and distribution services, all delivered within an Internet-safe environment. Provide the means for accessing high-quality information quickly, keeping students on task, and the flexibility to prohibit access to inappropriate content and unwanted solicitations.
Classroom Connect Interactive Curriculum Adventure Learning: Take virtual fieldtrips through GalapagosQuest and AsiaQuest.
Adventure Online: Adventure Online delivers Web-based, core learning materials in math, reading and writing, social studies, and science. Each lesson or activity is brought to life through one of its real world adventures. Targeted at grades 3-9.
Peregrine Publishers: Biology Place, Chemistry Place, and Psychology Place: Resources to help master principles, practice exams keyed to leading textbooks, investigations to related news, and sharing ideas with a community of educators and students are components of these three sites geared towards high schools students.

Annotated WWW Resources for Benefits