Introduction: The market for digital children's books is growing steadily. But the options vary in terms of quality and parents looking for suitable apps for young children can get overwhelmed quickly. This study seeks to answer how families search for suitable applications and what aspects are important to them while selecting. Method:…

This work, part of the Spanish government's National I + D Plan 2004/07, entitled "Observatics: the implementation of free software in ICT centres in Andalusia: an analysis of its effect on the teaching-learning process", aims to describe the most recent impact of online communication technologies on education in Andalusia (Spain),…

To explore media theories of perceived reality regarding factuality, social, and physical realism, and "videocy" (or theatrical spectacle), 32 children in first, third, and fifth grades were individually interviewed after attending a production of "Dinosaurus" which included computer-animated dinosaurs. Contrary to beliefs that…

This study investigated elementary teachers' personal experience with computers in classroom instruction, identifying key causes of comfort or discomfort with computer use in the classroom. The study involved 10 elementary teachers who were part of a larger study on the same subject. In that larger study, researchers collected demographic data and…

Discusses the results of a survey in which 291 parents of an urban elementary school reported on their computer equipment at home, the type and frequency of their children's educational software and Internet use, and shared their ideas how better connections between computer use at home and school might be created. (Author/LRW)

This practicum was developed to increase the use of instructional technology as a teaching strategy among elementary classroom teachers by implementing a series of inservice workshops and mentoring programs. Workshops designed with teacher input were developed and presented to the staff where the writer worked. Interviews were conducted…

This study explored elementary school teachers' personal experiences with using computers in the classroom, their present use of computers in the classroom, and their views on current computer use as compared to their preferred use in classroom instruction. A total of 149 teachers from 15 elementary schools randomly chosen from two counties in…

Although many elementary classrooms have computers, students commonly report that they do not know how to use the them. This study assessed the effectiveness of a computer training program for students to increase their awareness of and comfort level on Macintosh and IBM computers in their classroom. Participating were fifth graders in an…

The aim of this study was to investigate and validate the use of a computerized testing program for the diagnosis of arithmetic difficulties experienced by primary school children. The basic research question was whether a microcomputer could be used to diagnose difficulties in addition, subtraction and multiplication as well as a paper-and-pencil…

This study examines the opinions of elementary school teachers currently employed by the Greeneville City School System regarding the utilization and effects of educational technology in the elementary classroom. The System has committed to building and maintaining a state-of-the-art computer network for students served by the district. A large…

This paper reports on a computer initiative implemented by a metropolitan school district in Virginia. The initiative began in 1995 when the school district of 44,000 students funded 5 computers and a color printer for each elementary classroom in 34 schools. The goals of the initiative focused on: increasing student performance; addressing…

Since the mid-1980's, computers in elementary and middle grade schools have functioned to a large extent as a medium for student practice in the skills and concepts of basic mathematics and logic. This report presents the results of a 2-year nationwide field experiment designed to provide credible evidence about the effects of using computers in…

A practicum intervention designed to improve the basic skills of second and fourth graders by means of computer-assisted instruction was implemented. The intervention focused on improving students' mathematics and writing scores on the Student State Assessment Test (SSAT), a test administered state-wide to third and fifth graders every year. Staff…

This practicum was designed to expand the preservice teacher's ability to understand and demonstrate the use of computers and new technologies in elementary school lesson planning. Teachers were expected to focus on acquiring skills to operate a computer, computer applications, and other technological resources as tools for learning and…

One of the most relevant issues in classrooms today is the incorporation of technology, specifically computers, into classroom instruction. A review of the literature reveals that six of the most important variables in determining the degree to which teachers integrate computers into their instruction and planning are knowledge, anxiety, personal…