Despite the last few years' growth in awareness of open-source software in schools and the potential savings it represents, its widespread adoption is still hampered. Randy Orwin, technology director of the Bainbridge Island School District in Washington State and a strong open-source advocate, cautions that installing an open-source…

School networking is increasingly important in a globalised world, where schools themselves can be actors on an international stage. This article builds on the activities and experience of the longest established European initiative in this area, European Schoolnet (EUN), a network of 31 Ministries of Education. First, we offer an introduction…

The new era of mobile computing promises greater variety in applications, highly improved usability, and speedier networking. The 3G iPhone from Apple is the poster child for this trend, but there are plenty of other developments that point in this direction. Previous surveys, in LLT, and by researchers at the UK's Open University, have…

The concept of convergence has evolved significantly during recent years. Today, "convergence" refers to the integration of the communications and computing resources and services that seamlessly traverse multiple infrastructures and deliver content to multiple platforms or appliances. Convergence is real. Those in higher education, and especially…

Middle-level teachers, librarians, and media specialists can use this book to meet current English language arts and technology standards and to prepare students to be literate citizens in the 21st century. Additional teaching tools include timelines of classroom events, reproducible rubrics for assessing curriculum units, suggested Web resources,…

Describes effects of the burgeoning information culture on the community college mission, suggesting that colleges can focus on providing learning rather than filling classrooms. Argues that the information network currently being built represents a fifth utility for communities. Provides seven practical first steps for colleges seeking to…

Many schools are looking at ways to centralize the distribution and retrieval of video, voice, and data transmissions in an integrate information system (IIS). A centralized system offers greater control of hardware and software. Describes media network planning to retrofit an Illinois' high school with a fiber optic-based IIS. (MLF)

Discusses the rise of computer networks, telecommuting possibilities, the growing global economy, and possible resulting trends in the population of cities. Implications for higher education are suggested, including the centralization of certain core operations and the decentralization of other services to address the varied needs of students.…

The unexpectedly rapid expansion of the Internet in Eastern and Central Europe is having a significant effect on institutions of higher education, still suffering from decades of isolation. The benefits include global access to information and cost-effective communications. A number of international efforts are under way to expand Internet access,…

The technology team in a suburban Cleveland (Ohio) school district saved thousands with do-it-yourself wiring work in four schools and the district office and kindergarten building. Classrooms, labs, and libraries have been wired, and selected areas in each facility are now being connected to the Internet. (MLF)

Ohio SchoolNet is a state-funded partnership to encourage and support local school improvement. The project's $95 million cost is being funded through bond sales. By the end of 1999, SchoolNet will have facilitated the installation of networking technology in all public K-12 schools and classrooms across Ohio. (MLF)

Strategies at several private and public colleges and universities to support advancing information technology are described. Trends include distributed computing, database connectivity, and increased computer use in teaching. Common instructional concerns include facilitating use of technology and developing "supertech" classrooms.…

Discussion of the use of technology for teaching and learning science focuses on studies that explored trends in teaching science with technology. Highlights include projects using telecommunications through computer networks; constructivist theory and the use of hypermedia; and computer-supported collaborative learning. Implications for teachers…

This paper synthesizes current thought about the role of networking technologies in instruction and addresses the need for higher education to create affordable and flexible student-centered "distributed learning environments" employing networking technologies. First, relevant trends are identified in the areas of information volume, technology…

Discusses trends in educational software and the effects of new developments on publishers and on the computer industry. Marketing prospects for software are examined, and recent advances are highlighted, including integrated learning systems, skill-based software, software tied to textbooks, networking, and freeware. (LRW)