This introduction to the Internet explains what it is, how to use it, and how it can be useful to those with an interest in competency-based education. The Internet is a network of over 14,000 networks as of August 1993, with 1,000 being added per month, and at least 1 million machines and 20 million people connected to it. There are several levels of connection. Anyone with Internet-capable electronic mail is on the Internet, but a "full" or direct connection that uses relatively complex software like Gopher and FTP (file transfer protocol) is generally available only to users on a local area network. Ways to access the Internet, including the use of gophers, USENET, and file transfer protocols, are discussed. There are currently no gopher servers or subsystems dedicated to competency-based education. The best sources for information on education are the Department of Education gopher, the ERIC system, and the VocNet listserv sponsored by the National Center for Research in Vocational Education. Ten resources are listed for further information. (SLD)