One of the most explosive areas of growth in the field of higher education is currently in emerging international markets. In developing nations, lack of access to high-quality teachers and educational materials is often the key obstacle preventing students from gaining the skills and knowledge they need to pursue new opportunities and advance in…

This article describes some of the key affordances for learning of the generic class of handheld computers known variously as smartphones, palmtops, and thumbtops--using the Apple iPhone 3G as one of the most mature exemplars of this class--based on the authors' experiences with and reflections about the device over a period of a year. An argument…

This article describes a study to determine whether assistive technology, specifically text-to-speech software, can be used to help students with dyslexia cope with academic texts in English. Results from the study indicated that the text-to-speech software enhances students' immediate and long-term academic reading performances. A list of…

Makes suggestions and forecasts relating to the nature of the developing partnership between teachers, students, and microcomputers and to the development and use of educational software to truly optimize learning in United Kingdom schools. (MBR)

Microcomputer installation in schools has increased annually since 1983, and microcomputers are now utilized throughout Japan's educational system, both in elementary and secondary classrooms and for educational research. Most of the computer software used in computer-assisted instruction is acquired externally, as opposed to developing the…

Reviews a criterion-based evaluation of educational software at York University, Ontario, using the York Educational Software Evaluation Scales (YESES). Concern over the quality of available courseware is expressed, and the response of students and teachers is highlighted as the most important criterion for evaluation. (LRW)

Discusses the need to improve the design of intelligent tutoring systems for young children and teenagers so they will develop information-processing skills and enrich their cognitive-emotional sphere. Gives an example of an experimental group in Moscow studying English as a second language. (LRW)

Discussion of computers and new information technology in developing countries focuses on China. Highlights include information technology as a tool for national development or as a tool for dependency; Chinese informatics policy; computers in Chinese secondary education; the development of educational software; teacher training; and computer…

Describes organizational structure and activities of the Center for Education and Information Technology (Netherlands), a national organization for exchange and distribution of the latest scientific and technical developments in information technology and its application in education, and a service institute to better the use of educational…

Examines the education/methodological aspects of DeskTop Conferencing (DTC) used in classroom learning, adult distance education, and inservice training. Describes a project involving Italian primary and secondary schools aimed at collaboratively producing a hypermedia package using DTC. Lists guidelines for organizing multimedia conferencing in…

Introduces an instructional approach referred to as collaborative project-based learning and describes a new Web-based technology, "ALiVE" designed to support this instructional approach. Discusses information resources management; scaffolding with templates; communication; collaboration; coordination; and technological overhead.…

Discussion of computers and informatics in Bulgaria focuses on educational computing. Highlights include national goals and objectives; microcomputers in secondary schools, including vocational schools; resources for educational computing, including retraining teachers, financial support, and the role of higher education institutions in developing…