Techtalk in Volume 33 has been addressing the digital divide in technology, first through the use of mobile phones and then through the development of digital literacies with digital storytelling. This third and final column in the series looks at bridging both the hardware/software divide and the digital literacies divide through the educational…

Two studies examined the short- and long-term effects of teaching strategic reading to first-year college students in a stand-alone course. In study one, developmental readers (N=36) learned PLAN, a strategic reading heuristic. Significant pretest-posttest growth was found using cognitive, metacognitive, and affective measures, though no gain was…

Discusses issues of information technology as they relate to the future of developmental education. Characterizes the potential applications for laptop-based technologies, telecommunications, and hypermedia. Suggests that educators will need to teach developmental students how to use the technology as an extension of their minds. (MAB)

Examines the current status of online developmental courses. Features descriptions of programs at several colleges, including the names and e-mail addresses of individuals to contact for further information. Describes the hardware requirements for offering online courses as well as how such courses typically operate. (MAB)

In a previous column, standards for professional growth in educational technology for developmental educators were discussed. These standards focus on competence with technology applications for improving instruction. How these standards might be implemented through four stages of technology integration: adopting, adapting, appropriating, and…

Discusses the uses of the Internet, particularly the World Wide Web (WWW), in developmental education courses. Examines the underpinnings of the WWW, means by which users can access information, and some potential applications for developmental students. Includes addresses of sample WWW sites. (MAB)

Explores ideas on how technology can enhance instruction, and explains how these ideas apply to the developmental student. Discusses new materials, technologies, and applications in developmental education and reviews what already exists. Includes information on telecourses, interactive TV courses, video conferencing, Internet support, Web…

Asserts that technology, along with sound instructional practices, can help developmental students access and learn from multiple-text information sources including the World Wide Web. Presents the (Gather, Arrange, and Present) GAP reading strategy, developed at Southwest Texas State University, as an example of how technology can be used as a…

Discusses how developmental educators can provide support for students underprepared for the reading, writing, and mathematics requirements of distance education. Describes various technology tools that are available, including e-mail, bulletin boards, listservs, and chat rooms. Provides suggestions for developing a distance…

Describes the first of three levels, or generations, in the development of online courses. Explores the design and value of generation one (G1) activities, including steps such as prewriting, drafting, editing, and presenting. Discusses the value of G1 courses and provides some examples. Future issues will address G2 and G3 online courses.…

Focuses on the effective use of technology in developmental mathematics instruction. Suggests that graphing calculators facilitate teaching and learning while scientific calculators do not. Discusses ways that hearing-impaired mathematics students can use the Internet for instruction at the Rochester Institute of Technology (New York). (Contains…

Reviews World Wide Web sites, specifically those related to the professional growth of developmental educators and students. Cites two Web pages in particular--the College Reading and Learning Association and Webliography--that offer many valuable resources. Contains 53 Web site addresses. (AS)

Discusses resources accessible on the Internet, as well as providing some Internet addresses useful for developmental educators. Provides descriptions of and information on how to interact with Listservs (discussion groups), ARCHIEs (a search utility), GOPHERs (an Internet navigation system), WAISs (Wide Area Information Servers), and other…

Argues that the processes of locating, interpreting, and applying ideas gained from reading have remained constant, in spite of changing resources. Offers advice for structuring students' use of the Web by using an instructor-based site called WebQuest. Describes four ways to navigate this online resource. (NB)

Argues that access to technology can be defined in two ways: (1) what students don't have--the digital divide runs along ethnicity and income lines; and (2) what is available, such as assistive technology for those with cognitive or physical disabilities. Speculates on the future of accessibility. (Contains 25 references.) (AUTH/NB)