Describes a distance learning program, MedinaLink, at the University of Akron (Ohio) which involved linking the university to Medina county high schools. Emphasis is on the challenges of linking two environments that are dichotomous in structure and style. Management of enrollment, course selection, semester scheduling, daily scheduling, resource…

Describes the ongoing curriculum development efforts of the Consortium for the Application of Space Data in Education (CASDE), an evolving consortium of educators, engineers, scientists, and other professionals dedicated to providing the educational community with vast amounts of NASA imagery, tools, and interdisciplinary learning activities via…

While many technological capabilities are under development and may turn out to be an optimal future microworld, it is necessary to study the current widespread solution of supporting exploration and learning of school algebra with packages of mathematics software components. Describes and discusses software tools for school algebra. (Contains 45…

Describes cable modem technology (i.e., an external device that facilitates high-speed access to the Internet via the same network configuration employed for cable television). Examples of cable field trials carried out in collaboration with educational user communities are presented, and cable technical capabilities, advantages, and constraints…

Draws on empirical evidence from an evaluation of computer use in Canadian high schools to show how a critical treatment of computer literacy as ideology raises important issues about the computerization of education. Suggests that educators should question whether they have given this ideology the critical attention it deserves. (DSK)

Reports on the use of simulators to provide students with field trips of the future. This technology offers convincing, real-world, first-hand experiences in a small space within a few minutes. Simulators have found their way into museums and science centers around the nation, although they are still too expensive for most school districts. (SM)

Describes digital publishing and its implications for "TEACHING Exceptional Children." The benefits of digital publishing for readers are discussed, including access to more information and the ability to view, via digital video, instructional interventions described in articles. Benefits for authors and the magazine are also highlighted. (CR)

Discusses the development and evaluation of the Academic Counselling Expert (ACE) system designed to replace the faculty advisor and provide requisite advice to aviation students at San Jose State University (California). This computer-based counselling system was accessed by 65 students (Spring 1996 semester); most students acquired appropriate…

Discusses the use of personal digital assistants, which are hand-held computers, in history and social science classrooms, explaining that they offer possibilities for greater access to technology at a fraction of the cost of desktop or laptop computers. Describes how removed today's social studies classrooms, students, and teachers are from this…

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) provide powerful technology for geography teachers. With this tool, students can engage in serious inquiry about issues of local and global significance using authentic data. Summarizes current research findings about GIS in schools, describing exemplary GIS projects. Realizing the potential of GIS in…

Describes a survey of microcomputer use for adults with learning disability within The Home Farm Trust, a United Kingdom national organization for people with learning disability that was carried out in light of a planned organization-wide initiative to introduce modern information and communications technology to service users. (Author/LRW)

Describes a course on the use of technologies for learning that studies the World Wide Web, multimedia, communication and collaboration software, tutoring systems, virtual reality, and other new digital technologies. Explores what educators are beginning to learn from this investigation of the past and future of learning technologies through use…

Examines theoretical and conceptual issues around promoting the growth of virtual learning communities and considers issues around using communication technologies in formal and informal learning environments. Highlights include: the theoretical context of community; categories for examining virtual learning communities; emphases of virtual…

Describes two activities that involve thinking of slope as rate of change. Uses a calculator-based laboratory, graphing calculator, appropriate probes, and web sites to make the concepts of slope and y-intercept come alive for middle grade students. (ASK)

Describes five existing classroom projects that use multimedia tools and computer technology to teach elementary and high school students multimedia authorship. Each project description discusses the type of computer software used and its uses to students. Projects teach students to incorporate video, audio, text, and graphics into…