Provides guidelines for schools choosing a media retrieval system. Topics include broadband, baseband, coaxial cable, or fiber optic decisions; the control network; selecting scheduling software; presentation software; device control; control from the classroom; and a comparison of systems offered by five companies. (LRW)

Describes recent offerings in math software for fractions lessons that provide instruction and interactivity not previously available in electronic formats. Compares three products, including selection criteria for multimedia supplemental materials. A table provides specific information on the products, including grade level, format, system…

Describes the use of barcodes to link laser discs with books in school libraries. Highlights include use of a barcode reader as a remote control device as well as a scanner, guidelines for making laser disc books, and a sidebar that explains how to make barcodes and describes software. (LRW)

Describes the features, equipment and operations of digital cameras and compares three different digital cameras for use in education. Price, technology requirements, features, transfer software, and accessories for the Kodak DC25, Olympus D-200L and Casio QV-100 are presented in a comparison table. (AEF)

Presents an overview of the hardware and software required to network CD-ROMs in schools. Topics include network infrastructures, networking software, file server-based systems, CD-ROM servers, vendors of network components, workstations, network utilities, and network management. (LRW)

Discusses desktop video, including its use as an educational tool; interactivity; teleconferencing; equipment requirements; the role of the TBC (time-based corrector) which adjusts incoming video signals and retimes them; creating graphics; transmitting live video over the Internet; Edit Decision List software; hardware requirements; and digital…

Discusses use of multimedia software in a Mt. Pleasant, Texas, elementary school, and asserts that the key to writing success is "postwriting", which means publication of the work in some form. Suggests online forums for the publication of children's writing, and provides brief descriptions of four online student publishers, including…

Lists hardware, software, and network connections needed for basic videoconferencing; outlines steps in initiating collaborative videoconferencing projects between students in different schools; and describes a videoconferencing project developed by fourth-grade teachers in two elementary schools in Tampa (Florida). Lists resources for further…

End users think of file names as a way to identify file contents, whereas computer programs often assign special meaning to file extensions. This article discusses different kinds of files on the World Wide Web: text, document, sound, video, and multimedia; file compression; and encoding formats. Includes a chart of file formats and lists Web…

Presents a synopsis of guidelines on the acceptable use of copyrighted multimedia materials in educational presentations. Outlines four characteristics of fair use. Discusses issues of retention and access, quality limits, number of copies that can be made, and other restrictions. A sidebar includes guidelines to remember when creating multimedia…

Discusses gradebook programs, both for schools with electronic administrative programs and those without. Outlines problems and benefits of selected programs, focusing on intuitiveness (ease of use for those with little training); report generators and customization abilities; and graphing and attendance-keeping capabilities. (AEF)

Multi-user Object Oriented Internet activities (MOOs) permit real time interaction in a text-based virtual reality via the Internet. This article explains EduMOOs (educational MOOs) and provides brief descriptions, World Wide Web addresses, and telnet addresses for selected EduMOOs. Instructions for connecting to a MOO and a list of related Web…

Presents the Executive Summary of a report commissioned by the Software Publishers Association to summarize educational technology research conducted from 1990 through 1997. Conclusions are discussed in terms of general findings, effect on student achievement and motivation/self-concept, and effectiveness of interactions involving educators and…

Emphasizes that for the success of information technology (IT) implementation, teachers must have the information on how to use the technology before, during and after purchase. Discusses software evaluation; knowledge of expertise preconditions; onsite and remotely accessed IT support structures; and deployment, integration, and utilization. (AEF)

Outlines how Compact Disc-interactive (CD-i)--software that looks like a CD-ROM but operates independently using a television set--can be used in elementary, secondary, and vocational education. Discusses the cost effectiveness of CD-i and compares costs and operational issues with CD-ROM. Describes special features of one CD-i program,…