We’ve all heard it: “The Internet is frying your brain,” “Your generation would be lost without your technology,” “You spend all your lives wasted away on your Facebook newsfeeds.” However, there are so many ways to use the Internet educationally, and educationally does not mean boring.

Intelligence and great ideas come with communication. Just take a look at history; as society becomes more knowledgeable, more ways to communicate appear. The Renaissance, a great time for art and science, was sparked by the creation of the printing press. The telegraph helped the Union win the Civil War. What’s different about the Internet from all of these is that it isn’t just two people communicating; anyone with Internet access can join the conversation. From troubleshooting forums to the comment section on our very own JagWire website, the Internet is all about having multiple people come together to share ideas without the necessity of meeting in person. Someone in New York can collaborate with someone in London on a project or idea.

One of the greatest ways the Internet has helped impact our culture overall is by encouraging students to try new things. With social networks designed to share creative works, from skits on YouTube to art blogs on Tumblr, the ability to try new things and get feedback has greatly increased. Say I read a blog about cellos, and decide I want to learn how to play. I can watch cello lessons on YouTube, post myself playing in a video, and get comments from similar people who can help me improve. This is an awesome opportunity that only the Internet can truly give people.

Next time we pay a visit to our computer, let’s try something more productive than refreshing Twitter. Let’s prove that the Internet isn’t just “frying our brains.” Maybe one of us will become the next cello virtuoso.