Provides an overview of virtual reality from an education perspective. Defines the technology in terms of equipment and participatory experience, examines the potential applications of virtual reality in education and training, and considers the concerns and limitations of the technology. Overall, research indicates that virtual reality offers…

Describes two civics lessons for elementary school students that use the World Wide Web: (1) kindergarten and first-grade students research the White House as a means to understanding the office of the presidency; and (2) fourth and fifth graders examine viewpoints about public issues discussed by presidential candidates. (CMK)

The first of a two-part article introduces the evolution of learning technology standards and key organizations leading development. Presents the integrative collaborative development model adapted by most learning technology standards organizations, and identifies other efforts, beside these organizations, that focused on developing standards.…

Contends that distance-education technology can strengthen traditional courses in various ways. Focuses on the unintended benefits of distance-education technology: (1) transferable components from distance education; (2) strengthening the organization of traditional courses; (3) extended student interactions and teacher control; (4) student…

Describes a community-based computer education program for the young people (and adults) of Chicxulub Puerto, a small fishing village in Yucatan, Mexico. Notes the children learn Maya, Spanish, and English in the context of learning computer and telecommunication skills. Concludes that access to the Internet has made a profound difference in a…

Describes the development and implementation of a web-based software engine that selects from a database of questions for students to answer and provides immediate feedback for students and instructor. Discusses the results of using this technology in an organic chemistry section. (Contains 22 references.) (WRM)

Provides definitions of the following words and phrases that are related to technology and its use in the social sciences classroom: CD-ROM, database, discussion group, e-mail, hypertext and hypermedia, Internet, simulation, spreadsheets, virtual field trip, and World Wide Web. (AEF)

Describes a summer science course in which an Internet-based computer network that allows elementary teachers to interact with each other and encourage more science instruction is designed, modeled, and evaluated. Contains over 20 references. (WRM)

Describes a state's and district's process of bringing available technology up to expectations with the Digital High School Education Technology Grant Program (California). Discusses several challenges: getting started; aligning technology to standards; matching media to needs; addressing information literacy development; training staff; getting…

Highlights mathematical developments of the 20th century. Provides a brief summary that hints at the flavor of recent mathematical developments. Presents stories that can add life to school mathematics and encourage students to join in the fun. (Contains 29 references.) (ASK)

Summarizes the steps taken by Waubonsee Community College (Illinois) in offering courses using multiple technologies to serve their diverse "market" of students. Describes the creation and development of a pilot distance learning paradigm that would expand upon the existing networks by using television access and computers to send video…

Discusses technology with reference to children's play, including how technology mixes with the established connection between children's play and emergent literacy and advantages and disadvantages of the three-way intersection of technology, literacy, and play in early childhood education. Addresses play and computers, software, the Internet, and…

Illustrates the importance of helping students explore and discover topics in geometry and shows how students who use Geometer's Sketchpad, a powerful computer drawing program, develop a better understanding of geometry. Describes several activities that use the technology to help students discover a wide range of geometric relationships. (AEF)

Presents predictions from experts, consultants, and educators on the future of public education and how that could affect school-facilities management. Topics cover school security and crisis management, school management and accountability in response to the increasing competition for students, and technology integration into the classroom. (GR)

Discussion of the impact of distance education on academic libraries focuses on marketing aspects. Topics include the rapid expansion of educational computing; the maturing of higher education; the World Wide Web as competitor to academic libraries; business purposes of academic libraries; distance education strategies; servicing market segments;…