Describes the development of an online self-assessment of students' technology skills based on a summer program for middle school students. Explains how the course design was based on feedback from a student survey that indicated a need to learn PowerPoint and Web-page-design skills rather than word-processing skills. (LRW)

Describes a minicourse used at Duquesne University that teaches faculty effective online instruction skills and helps them adapt to the cultural change of the new online environment. Discusses the cultural change for faculty, development and application of the online model, training objectives, strategies for developing faculty interest, and…

Summarizes the observed benefits of educational technology implementation. Topics include applications of technology for drill and practice of basic skills; applications to advanced skills; effects of technology on student attitudes; online technologies; use of technology by teachers and administrators; factors that help technology succeed; and…

Describes how a group of gifted primary-school children in New Zealand explored the Internet in a workshop project organized around solving the mystery of what happened to the Titanic. Insets include the student "contract," a listing of Web sites, and the evaluation instrument. (DB)

Discusses the experience, results, and prognoses for the development and implemenation of grammar-checking programs that can advise effectively on language produced by learners of English-as-a-Foreign-Language. Particular focus is on work that has been carried out at University of Exeter over the last 10 years, specifically on two programs,…

Describes classroom technology initiatives at three universities: McGill in Montreal, and Emory and Georgia Tech in Atlanta. The offerings include whiteboard technology, in which notes written on an electronic board are captured and saved in digital form for distribution to students; digital video; Internet connections; and automated control of…

University portals provide a new computerized interface between colleges and constituent groups. This article discusses: campus portals and possible features they may contain, nine strategies for portal projects, collaborative mechanisms to develop and implement portal projects, criteria for determination of campus portal readiness, potential…

The steps of the "Big Six Skills" approach make an excellent framework for highlighting skills educators need to take advantage of the Internet. There are several considerations-technical, ethical, and educational-to examine concurrently, which this article does in the context of the Big Six Skills: Task Definition, Information-Seeking…

Describes using a computer statistical software package called Minitab to model the sensitivity of several microbes to the disinfectant NaOCl (Clorox') using the Kirby-Bauer technique. Each group of students collects data from one microbe, conducts regression analyses, then chooses the best-fit model based on the highest r-values obtained.…

Discusses four issues that should guide the process of selecting technology for history and social studies classrooms: why use technology in these classrooms; what works best; what hazards should be avoided; and how the adoption and development of best practices can be encouraged and supported. Six recommendations for future efforts are presented.…

Explores how computer technology can help improve how and what children learn in school. Highlights several ways technology can enhance how children learn by supporting four fundamental characteristics of learning (active engagement, group participation, frequent interaction and feedback, and connections to real-world contexts). Additional…

Surveyed Internet-using children about their experiences with and perceptions of computer technology. Respondents valued the role of computers in their lives for entertainment, accomplishing goals, and becoming competent and empowered. They believed computers and the Internet improved their lives. Most children had computers at school, but nearly…

This article reviews "Learning with Technology: A Constructivist Perspective" (Jonassen, Peck, and Wilson), which presents ways for students to learn with the latest technology in a constructivist framework. Chapters describe the creation of a constructivist learning environment and the use of technology to help students develop intellectually and…

Explores security challenges and practical approaches to safeguarding school networks against invasion. Highlights include security problems; computer viruses; privacy assaults; Internet invasions; building a security policy; authentication; passwords; encryption; firewalls; and acceptable use policies. (Author/LRW)

Describes the CIStudio (Chemical Information Studio), a one-credit undergraduate chemistry course at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Focuses on the integration of electronic and print sources of chemical information, especially Internet-accessible reference and database services. Discusses administrative, instructor, and student issues involved.…