Traces the origin of ISAAC (Information System for Advanced Academic Computing) and the development of a languages and linguistics "room" at the University of Washington-Seattle. ISAAC, a free, valuable resource, consists of two databases and an electronic bulletin board spanning broad areas of pedagogical and research fields. (Author/CB)

Describes three projects at Carnegie Mellon University (Pennsylvania) that developed novice programming environments based on structure editors: GNOME, MacGNOME and ACSE (Advanced Computing for Science Education). Tracks the evolution of the programming environments and courses, documenting important lessons and discoveries about novice…

Defines the Internet and discusses the implications of an information society on K-12 education. Presents examples of Internet use that support technology-based learning activities for both students and teachers of K-12 classes. Information is provided for connecting to the Internet using commercial services. (JMV)

Describes computer conference courses in special and general relativity that use a text-based remote computer conference setting in which students receive assignments, exchange messages with other students and the instructor, participate in discussions, and submit answers to exercises. Discusses possible reasons why these courses have not worked…

Discusses the World Wide Web, a system used to display and distribute information on the Internet through hypertext links. Topics include browsing software called Mosaic; Web resources for elementary and secondary education students and teachers; online educational resources; Web server sites; and creating a home page. (LRW)

Provides several examples of ways that microcomputers can be used to enhance school teacher evaluation. Uses of computers by teachers to develop customized records and data presentation and use of computers in research on student evaluation are also considered. A sample computer program for statistical testing of student achievement data is…

Suggests that, because both history and computers are information based, there is an natural link between the two. Argues that history teachers should exploit the technology to help students to understand history while they become computer literate. Points out uses for databases, word processing, desktop publishing, and telecommunications in…

Presents a multimodal intervention to help those students in upper primary and middle school who are reluctant to use computers to become comfortable and gain minimal competence with a computer. The seven modes are P-Practice; R-Risk-Taking Imagery and Behaviors; O-Organization and Planning; T-Tactile Exploration; E- Emotions; C-Cognitions;…

Discusses five categories of obstacles to successful technology integration in the classroom: Time, Expertise, Access, Resources, and Support (TEARS). A chart outlines the obstacles and possible solutions. Similarity of obstacles to usage of film in the classroom 50 years ago is noted. (PEN)

Discusses the significance of the proliferation of new media for academic historians and their teaching. Describes the researcher's personal experiences incorporating multimedia technology into courses. Addresses points to consider before adopting multimedia as an individual or institution, including cost, standardization, and possible student…

Explains how one university extended the electronic reach of its students without sacrificing the university's nearly 150-year-old mission of personalized education. The five-year partnership between the school and a communications company and other cooperative arrangements with suppliers, service, and software manufacturers in transforming the…

Discusses development of an Australian distance-education cosmology course that employs an interactive design model and an extensive communication system. The way the model is used to organized, sequence, and deliver the course is explained. Discussion addresses how the model might be used to design other courses. (Author/CR)

Reviews how the University of Texas at Austin (UT-Austin) established a center to support its faculty. Addresses key questions related to the development of instructional technology (IT) centers through examples from UT-Austin. Discusses funding, fees, types of services and support, staffing, facilities provided, and training philosophy.…

Describes a support model for academic computing developed and implemented at Carleton College (Minnesota) over the past six years. In the discipline-focused model, technical support staff work to identify, facilitate, and tailor technical tools and methods to the pedagogical needs of faculty. Curricular use of computers and computer skill levels…

The theme in this special section is computer-supported collaborative learning (CSCL). The papers mark the development of computer-supported cooperative work and give a diversity of perspectives in the field, representing a range of interests and concerns. (AEF)