Social media has exploded onto American culture--including our schools--giving educators a unique opportunity to shape this phenomenon into a powerful tool for improving educational leadership practices. With real-world examples and practical tips, this essential guide shows school leaders how to address both the potential benefits and common…

When John Closen became principal of Rogers Elementary School he found three computers, a speech synthesizer, printer, and software and began the computerization of the school. Two years later the school is dramatically transformed. (MD)

As a way of helping states and districts interested in laptop initiatives, the Northeast and the Islands Regional Technology in Education Consortium (NEIRTEC) has reviewed lessons learned to date from many laptop initiatives around the country and has prepared this guide. Drawn from articles and reports about current and past programs (see…

Argues that middle school educators can enhance the quality of education in the classroom by obtaining grants for special projects. Discusses the grant proposal writing process, successful grant writing strategies, and ways to integrate computers into grant writing. Outlines web site resources for grant writing. (SR)

Explains how two high school seniors used the Internet to conduct a poll on censorship issues. (TB)

School districts should have a plan to reduce potential losses in the event of a data processing disaster. Describes the plan devised for the Fairfax County (Virginia) school system. (MLF)

Describes an assistant principal's successful effort to computerize scheduling and grade reporting in his school. Outlines some of the problems experienced during the transition and the rewards that have resulted. (MD)

This publication offers aid for North Carolina schools in planning new and renovated facilities to accommodate technology. It is a supplement to the North Carolina Public School Facilities Guidelines and should be used in conjunction with the STS-1000 Telecommunications Wiring Guidelines and the North Carolina School Technology Plan and other…

Shares a variety of illuminating metaphors for expressing the special nature and spirit of Hypercard (computer software used to build structures that create patterns and connections). Emphasizes Hypercard's multiple personalities and reminds readers that there are many useful and enriching ways to describe Hypercard. (MG)

Many school business officials have turned to computer equipment leasing. A lease arrangement permits administrators to stretch annual budgets, to appropriate funds, and to easily upgrade or change equipment. Another alternative to high-cost computer purchase is to buy or lease used equipment. (MLF)

Explores how students are influenced by media technology, specifically television and computers. Notes that media are not just a vehicle of information, but are primarily models of how to see, think, read, write, and reason. (MM)

The first of three parts of this booklet, which assumes no previous knowledge of computers or programming, explains what computers are and briefly describes the components of a computer system. The second section examines the different ways in which the computer can be used in higher education, including its use: (1) as a "super calculator"; (2)…

Offers cleaning tips for classroom computers. Recommends cleaning materials for specific components such as screens, keyboards, disk drives, CD-ROM drives, and mouse and mousepads. Hazards such as dust, water, static electricity, power surges, and loss of data are also discussed. (JW)

Provides advice to faculty advisers of student organizations on understanding the learning styles, needs, cultures, and strengths of today's "electronic learners." Advisers need to understand technology-related learning patterns and become technologically literate to work with college students. (MDM)

Argues against the fractured view of literacy as a set of unrelated skills, and suggests that thinking and writing about computers could provide a means for students to see literacy from a broad-based interdisciplinary perspective. Describes a graduate course designed to explore connections between computers and literacy. (KEH)