In order to help students make well-informed choices, reliable college ranking systems with comparable information about higher education institutions worldwide have been welcomed by many students. Because traditional college rankings had many methodological problems, a new type of user-based ranking, called "personalized college…

A recent survey of 74 building-level school administrators in Indiana challenged many of the assumptions regarding 1:1 laptop initiatives and how 1:1 access would affect teaching and learning. It also revealed disturbing realities regarding instructional practices of teachers, as well as efforts to improve school technology integration. The intent…

This article describes a study that examined the conceptions of three New Hampshire superintendents as to the institutional conditions they believe impact teachers' ability to integrate technology. Common thinking was found. They agree if integration is to be successful, teachers need a better understanding of how these technologies can be applied…

The EDUCAUSE Current Issues Committee, whose members review and recommend the set of IT issues to be presented each year, conducted a Web-based survey in December 2006 to identify the five of thirty-one IT issues in each of four areas: (1) issues that are critical for strategic success; (2) issues that are expected to increase in significance; (3)…

This paper reviews five popular and emerging models for the implementation of Internet and network technology in higher education: low tech, lab, laptop, virtual, and networked systems. Three perspectives on these models--that of a faculty member at the University of Lethbridge (Alberta, Canada), an administrator at the University of Lethbridge,…

Stresses that not enough attention has been given to the need to teach computer skills to school administrators. Lists five basic competencies for a computer literate school administrator. Suggests 12 topics to be taught in the administrator course. (MVL)

This year marks the fifth annual EDUCAUSE Current Issues Survey to identify what campus information technology leaders see as their most critical IT challenges. Thirty-five percent (571) of the 1,638 EDUCAUSE primary member representatives who were asked to participate responded to an e-mail invitation to complete the Web-based survey in December…

A survey of directors of academic computing at 981 2- and 4-year colleges found that identifying appropriate software for faculty is considered a more important function than developing software for classroom use; that public research universities are anticipating more computing budget cuts; that networking is increasing; and that student and…

Although universities are using sophisticated computer technology to advance research, community colleges are using computers to improve instruction. Community college faculty are working both independently and cooperatively to develop computer-based curricula and instructional techniques, and community colleges are more likely to make computers…

Describes the process by which Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (New York), beginning in the 1980s, became a leader in computer applications in college instruction. Focus is on the leadership provided by the administration and the process of reengineering institutional operations in many instructional and administrative areas. Outlines three…

Teacher shortage in rural localities is a long-standing issue in New Zealand. This paper reports on an attempt to reduce the impact of shortages by redesigning the way pre-service teacher education was delivered. Called the Mixed Media Programme (MMP), this is a primary (elementary) teacher education programme that was established in 1997 in New…

An interactive tool was created to gauge the skills and attitudes of individuals and populations regarding computer technology and its attendant changes. The goal of the project was to develop a non-threatening, user-friendly instrument to assess the computer skills and attitudes of preservice and inservice teachers and administrators at all…

Research on social capital and functional communities provides much needed information on the relationship between rural schools and their communities, and its impact on community viability. Schools are critical to the social and economic viability of rural communities; research suggests that social capital in rural areas has decreased…

Reports findings from the Computers in Education Study (COMPED) conducted in 1989 by the International Association for the Evaluation Achievement (IEA). Discusses problems associated with failure to adopt computers in schools, staff development, gender differences, and administrative use of computers in schools. (CFR)

The seventh annual campus computing survey found the adoption rate of high-technology tools for college instruction has slowed. Although technology centers serving faculty are common, most institutions have few formal rewards for faculty use of technology. Data are presented on trends in proportions of courses using technology for various purposes…