Mindsurf Networks--a partnership involving a suburban Baltimore high school, Sylvan Ventures, and Aether Systems--provides a cutting-edge, reasonably priced, networked mobile computing platform for learning. Handheld computers help students solve problems and beam information to teachers and each other. Partnership initiation strategies for…

Describes the development of a Staff Creativity Lab at the University of Arizona library that was designed to help foster an atmosphere that encourages creative thinking by learning to use different microcomputers and new software and to develop new skills over networks. The selection of hardware and software is also discussed. (Contains eight…

Discusses the origin of the Internet, its applications in education, and its current limitations. Describes Internet2 (I2), a national initiative by over 141 research universities to regain the Internet as a research and educational tool by leading the development of the next generation of network technology. Discusses the I2 mission; I2 members,…

Argues for the cautiously expanded use of the World Wide Web for inquiry across the middle school curriculum, noting how the Internet can be used in schools. Describes the Internet and appraises its distractions and academic utility, identifying features that support student inquiry in science, mathematics, social studies, and language arts. (JPB)

Discussion of technologically mediated learning focuses on Collaborative Learning Networks, called the learning environment of the future. Traces the effects of the learning paradigm of higher education back to elementary and secondary education, as well as linking it to success in the work environment. (Contains 5 references.) (Author/LRW)

Describes how Clarion and Edinboro universities bundled their university-related telecommunications services with residence hall services and sought a vendor consortia to install and manage those services. In return for long-term contracts granting the right to sell services, the two consortia invested money to install data networks in the…

Discussion of the need for ethical computing strategies and policies at the K-12 level to acculturate computer hackers away from malicious network hacking focuses on a three-year participant observation ethnographic study conducted at the New Technology High School (California) that examined the school's attempts to socialize its hackers to act…

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)

The requirements placed on learning technologies to support lifelong learning differ considerably from those placed on technologies to support particular fragments of a learning lifetime. The time scales involved in lifelong learning, together with its multi-institutional and episodic nature are not reflected in todays mainstream learning…

Providing quality technical support in K-12 environments can be challenging. Unlike the business world, there is generally a less-than-ideal ratio of technical staff to computers, numerous software titles from dozens of vendors, and of course--a much smaller budget. The Victor Central School District in Victor, New York, has employed a number of…

Most educators have little experience or expertise in cybersecurity. Yet, it is one of the most pressing vulnerabilities in today's society. Beyond simply being aware of this vulnerability, educational leaders must ask themselves: What is an effective strategy for managing cybersecurity concerns? Whom do you trust to give you the best information?…

In academic settings, battling Internet threats and coming out unscathed is uncommon. Unfortunately, on many college campuses cyber-security concerns rarely extend beyond the IT staff and are addressed in a disparate, ad-hoc fashion. Yet, while many universities and large corporations were hit hard by the recent NetSky and Sasser worms, fewer than…

This paper provides a brief description of Hyper-G, the first second-generation hypermedia system. The first section identifies problems with first generation hypermedia systems. The following sections discuss the new concepts that are implemented in Hyper-G, including user accounts and billing, structuring of data, caching and replication, native…

This paper discusses the process for developing a campus-wide computer ethics policy at Illinois Wesleyan University. As a part of a campus-wide computerization planning effort, the university realized it would be necessary to set in place rules of conduct, methods of monitoring conduct, and penalties for transgressions of these policies. The need…

Multi-User Dungeons (MUDs), are text-based virtual reality environments in which participants separated by great physical distances can communicate and collaborate in programming. Most MUDs started out as adventure games but are quickly being adapted for more "serious" endeavors. This paper presents a case study of the experiences of a…