This article features the new Framework of Essential Skills of the K-12 CTO of the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN). This latest, version 2.0 iteration of the skills framework builds upon work the organization did earlier this decade. This time CoSN, a professional association for district technology leaders, reached out to a variety of…

How many beginning teachers struggle to create new lessons despite the fact that experienced teachers have already designed effective lessons for the same content? Shulman (1987) used the term "collective amnesia" to describe the failure of school leaders to design professional development that included the collection of its best…

Describes six nontraditional online information sources and discusses how they could be used for library services or professional development: (1) ISAAC (Information System for Advanced Academic Computing); (2) NCIN (North Carolina Information Network); (3) Prodigy; (4) The Well (Whole Earth Lectronic Link); (5) America Online (AOL); and (6)…

Highlights the problems related to the development of professionals in the field of educational technology and defines a series of new professional roles, skills, and competencies needed to respond to the job market demands. Presents a model for professionals involved in the development of network-based courses. (Author/LRW)

Delivering content to distant users located in dispersed networks, separated by firewalls and different web domains requires extensive customization and integration. This article outlines some of the problems of implementing the Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) in the Marine Corps' Distance Learning System (MarineNet) and extends…

Norwegian participation in the JITOL (Just in Time Open Learning) professional training project provided experience with electronic networks and distribution of learning material. A national project, NITOL (Norwaynet with Information Technology for Open Learning), was established that applies JITOL to higher education. Four Norwegian universities…

Ongoing contact and peer support are essential to professional growth for educators, and an electronic community can provide a supportive environment. The LabNet project demonstrates that a successful electronic community requires careful design, comfort with technology among users, and commitment; moderators play essential leadership roles in…

This document summarizes the activities of REACH, the Rural Education Alliance for Collaborative Humanities. REACH is an effort to strengthen rural education in South Carolina through writing and the study of local history and culture. Among REACH projects are the REACH School Programs, fostering student created research on the history and…

Supported by funds and technical assistance from the U.S. Department of Education Innovation Challenge, the WEB Project has built several dynamic online networks that foster professional growth and measure improvement in student learning. The classrooms and networks of teachers and community professionals involved include work in music, visual…

Brookline (Massachusetts) Public Schools has created a telecommunications network that encourages creative thinking, risk taking, thoughtful practice. Interested parties are advised to identify leadership team; rethink resources; identify potentially successful conference groups; learn to make deals; provide training and ongoing support; expect…

"Computers and the Teaching of Composition," a graduate course for community college writing teachers taught at San Francisco State University, has two related objectives: to improve writing instruction and to teach writing teachers how computer-mediated writing tools and strategies can help provide students with powerful resources for…

Describes the Bangkok Project, a successful application of electronic mail and computer conferencing networks to support professional development in the field of distance education. The development of the computer conference to supplement a face-to-face conference in Bangkok is explained, and conference format and nature of interactions are…

This report describes a project conducted for the following purposes: (1) research the new technologies that will be part of the upcoming information boom, popularly referred to as the "information superhighway"; (2) interview technical professionals in the scientific field to find out their feelings and predictions on the technology;…

Presents conceptual frameworks for discussing distance education. Considers the networked environment; the higher education market; rationales for distance education, including expanding access to educational and training needs; learner segments, including lifelong learners and professional development; indicators of institutional readiness;…

This paper is an introduction to computer-mediated communication (CMC) for university faculty and uses of CMC in education and professional development. An introductory section defines CMC, describes CMC tools, and briefly reviews the literature. The following topics related to CMC in instruction are addressed in the first section: educational…