When computers started having screens (or monitors), as well as printers, a new alphanumeric display was created using dots. A crucial variable in designing alphabet letters and digits, using dots, is the height of the display, measured in dots. This article addresses the same design questions tackled by designers of typefaces or fonts, and shows…

Technology tools have come a long way from early word processing applications and opportunities for students to engage in simple programming. Many tools now exist for students to develop and share products in a variety of formats and for a wide range of audiences. PowerPoint is probably the most ubiquitously used tool for student projects. In…

Having been in the computer industry for many years, the author is reminded of one of the earliest tenets of word processing: Saving one's work, and save it often. It's encouraging to see that people trust computers not to lose their work. Unfortunately, due to budget cuts, aging computer hardware, a possibly questionable electrical supply, and…

The explosion of Web 2.0 into libraries has left many smaller academic libraries (and other libraries with limited computing resources or support) to work in the cloud using free Web applications. The use of commercial Web hosting is an innovative approach to the problem of inadequate local resources. While the idea of insourcing IT will seem…

Web-based applications offer teachers, students, and school districts a convenient way to accomplish a wide range of tasks, from accounting to word processing, for free. Cloud computing has the potential to offer staff and students better services at a lower cost than the technology deployment models they're using now. Saving money and improving…

Everyone knows that lack of internet access can reinforce the social and economic disadvantages already facing some older people. Recognising the divisive nature of digital exclusion, the government has invested 2.8 million British Pounds in Get Digital, a project that will enable sheltered housing residents to develop computer and internet…

Metadata is information about computer-generated documents that is often inadvertently transmitted to others. The problems associated with metadata have become more acute over time as word processing and other popular programs have become more receptive to the concept of collaboration. As more people become involved in the preparation of…

Text messaging is an ideal communications method for libraries, which often want to send short, concise messages to their patrons near and far. Uses for text messaging in libraries include reminders about items' due dates, hold pickup notices, program reminders, and even short messages of content. Some libraries are already using text messaging…

In this article, I discuss research on the use of technology to support the writing of students with learning disabilities. Struggling writers can benefit from a wide range of computer applications for writing. Word processing, spelling checkers, word prediction, and speech recognition offer support for transcription and revision. Word processing…

At Adam Scott Collegiate and Vocational Institute (CVI) in Peterborough, Canada, the Learning Commons is the school's central place for introducing new technology to students and teachers. This includes collaborative projects with teachers to develop curriculum that uses new technologies. Over the last few years podcasting as well as other online…

This is a must-have resource for all K-12 teachers and administrators who want to really make the best use of available technologies. Written by Doug Johnson, an expert in educational technology, "The Classroom Teacher's Technology Survival Guide" is replete with practical tips teachers can easily use to engage their students and make their…

How often do people find themselves typing the same information, such as school names and addresses, into document after document? Or using the same sequence of menu commands, such as saving a file in a specific folder (File, Save, navigate to the folder, open the folder, save the file)? People would rather use a short key combination that…

In a class of eight students, an attempt was made to determine the effects on student collaboration of using the computer as a writing instrument and the influence the computer might have on social relationships in a high school writing class. Student collaboration consisted of several kinds, including: (1) the sharing of technical help for using…

School-based technology specialists go by many names: technology coordinators, technology integration specialists, technology support specialists, instructional technology coordinators, technology mentor teachers, curriculum technology partners, educational technologists, coaches, expert trainers, technology support coordinators, and site-based…

Although administrative computing is centralized at Johns Hopkins University, because of the diverse nature of this research institution, there are over 100 academic computers at the university. Future plans include network operations and inquiry languages operated by users. (Author/MLW)