Despite external influences such as societal restrictions imposed during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, farmers continue to work, and needs for outreach and education have not waned. Extension professionals must continue to support these needs by using media and channels not typically employed when more traditional vehicles, such as on-site…

The authors discuss how high school students participated in a unit in which they learned about African American history in a 1:1 computer classroom--in particular, how they were able to use digital history to learn about a variety of African American leaders who are not frequently covered in the traditional American History textbook. In addition,…

So, what if one lives in a remote, rural area, but still has important knowledge and insights that others might benefit from learning? What if one is the only school librarian for multiple districts, and one just cannot justify the time to travel to a regular, traditional class meeting These are questions that school librarians in Iowa, as well as…

America's K-12 education system faces three significant challenges: (1) increased global demands for skilled workers, (2) significant financial shortfalls, and (3) a looming teacher shortage. Independently, these factors present significant challenges for U.S. schools. In combination, they create a national imperative for swift action to create a…

Seventh grade students entering South East Junior High in Iowa City come from eight elementary feeder schools, as well as from schools around the world. Their information literacy skills and knowledge of reference sources vary, but since all seventh graders and new eighth graders are required to take one trimester of Visual Studies, all entering…

This book describes how two teachers, half a world apart, created collaborative Internet projects for high school students worldwide. Projects helped develop critical thinking, genuine dialogue, and global understanding in the classroom. Through the development of curricular projects linking classrooms in Malaysia, Japan, Iowa, South Africa, and…

Explains how students are able to interact with a team of interplanetary scientists at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) by using the Iowa Communications Network (ICN). Discusses the professional development component in detail. (DDR)

Examines the integration of technology in Iowa high schools. Highlights include rural versus urban schools; available technology in the classrooms, labs, media centers, and administrative offices; uses of technology; the perceived impact of using technology; administrative support; teacher motivation; and community support. (LRW)

Discusses the telecommunications systems in operation at Buena Vista College in Iowa. Describes the systems' uses in linking all offices and classrooms on the campus, downlinking satellite communications through a dish, transmitting audio and video information to any set of defined studio or classroom space, and teleconferencing. (TW)

The technology data collection provides fundamental information on Iowa public schools with respect to various aspects of technology. Responses to the survey were received from 100% of the 379 Iowa public school districts during the 1996-97 school year. The survey was conducted to provide baseline information on a central core of technology…

Portfolios are used in teacher education programs to provide evidence of pre-service teachers' professional growth and development. As programs are better able to integrate technology into the teacher preparation curriculum, many educational institutions are implementing electronic versions of portfolios (e-portfolios) on a widespread basis. Uses…

A computerized referral management system, the Arrowhead Student Information System, has enhanced communication among special education staff members in rural Iowa. The system serves a 45-district intermediate level service unit which identifies and serves children from birth to 21 years who require special education from a student and preschool…

The College of Education at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) created collaborative partnerships with nine major school districts in Iowa in order to establish several kinds of relationships between practitioners and university faculty which computer networks facilitated. A new "Cobra" computer conference system was expanded to the…

This paper proposes recommendations for the training of teachers for the 21st century based on a Newton (Iowa) project to improve and broaden the skills of secondary education teachers for working with special needs students in regular classrooms. The paper calls for a practical and positive approach to defining disabilities, to summing up the…