The advent of new Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in the classroom for use across the curriculum has rendered Educational Technology a medium of instruction (Barker and Yates, 1985), which is alternative to the conventional ones that human societies have been used to using until today (i.e. textbooks). However, the idea ofusing alternative networks of information within the school environment is not new; it was first conceptualised by Illich (1971), who strongly argued for the importance of the availability of alternative knowledge networks for students.

The use of the Internet in order to support other curriculum subjects and its possible impact on the culture of the school classroom has been amongst the most important aspects of intensive and systematic research conducted by the author with the help of personal interviews and field observation. The preliminary analysis of the data gathered during fieldwork has shown that student access to a plethora of information through the Internet and the use ofE-mail within the school setting may enhance the global character of the classroom culture by establishing communication networks with various groups in the outside world. The aim of this paper will be to discuss the relationship between Education and the New Media by putting special emphasis on the way new ICTs may provide students with a 'window' to the outside world.

Barker, P. and Yates, H. (1985). Introducing Computer Assisted Learning. London: Prentice Hall International.