This article examines how laptop computing technology, teacher professional development, and systematic support resulted in changed teaching practices and increased student achievement in 47 K-12 schools in 11 Florida school districts. The overview of a large-scale study documents the type and magnitude of change in student-centered teaching,…

Innovative uses of technology to support teacher learning are emerging through professional learning communities that leverage social networking technologies. The value of an online community for educators lies in the rich and open exchange of ideas, experiences, and resources where educators feel both respected and supported. Yet among the most…

This study examines online messages in a discussion forum that a group of K-12 history teachers used to discuss curriculum implementations as part of their professional development. It has 3 main research foci. First, it focuses on identifying the types of assistances provided to the teachers in an online forum. Second, it examines teachers'…

The National Educational Technology Standards for Students promote constructivist technology use for K-12 students in U.S. schools. In this study, researchers reported on 716 cases in which teachers described technology-based activities they conducted with their students. Narrative analysis was used to examine case transcripts relative to the…

Computer-based cognitive tools may have an important role to play in making widespread improvements in history teaching. Scholars agree that one important way to help students understand history is to involve them in historical interpretation, and there have been promising developments in the design of tools that scaffold students' interpretation…

A study of 148 male and 161 female 7-12 graders tested the hypothesis that computer attitudes and computer confidence positively affect each other and that both positively affect commitment to computer learning. Contrary to expectations, computer confidence had a negative effect on commitment to learning. Includes an attitudes and self-confidence…

Handheld devices have the potential to make a large impact on K-12 educational settings, due to their relative low cost, high mobility, and interactive learning capabilities. This article, the outcome of a large-scale project examining the use of handheld computers, examines how handheld computers can improve teaching and learning, what…

Examines barriers to technology adoption based on the literature and on data from two studies (one with K-12 teachers and one with higher education faculty). A product of this examination is a visual model of the interaction/interdependence of elements that contribute to construction of barriers to technology adoption and serve as an aid to…

One definition of design is "creating something new that fits with reality" (Stults, 1985). This article describes a project in which the researchers started with the intuition that new handheld-based wireless technologies held the promise of creating something new and highly desirable for K-12 education. We saw the potential for handheld-based…

Discusses the use of computers in schools and computer education (CE) activities and describes a study that examined how the role of computers in schools is perceived by teachers and administrators in Lebanese schools. Teacher training, student motivation, the integration of CE into the curriculum, and computer effectiveness are discussed.…

While the number of computers in the classroom continues to increase and tremendous support for technology integration exists in government, business, and academia, a major discrepancy exists between the level of technology use expected of educators and the actual use and integration of technology in the classroom. This article examines barriers…

Surveys 117 English teachers to determine their current essay grading practices and their preferences for receiving and using computer ratings. Almost all of the teachers reported that they would use computer ratings to provide feedback to students. However, many reported that they would do less marking on student essays that are rated by computer…

Presents findings from a three-year qualitative study of the implementation of networked technology in a K-12 cluster of four schools. Findings showed that truly networked schools possess a unique virtual geography requiring substantive reorganization across schools' practices, culture and structure. (AEF)

Presents preliminary research concerning learners whose native language is not English and who attend public school in New York State. Research focused on how English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers in the state view and use technologies to help develop their students' literacy skills. Discusses data from a statewide survey and from initial…

Presents a study of interactions among eight-year-old students working with computers. Students' communicative interactions in front of the computer were compared with interaction occurring in other activities. Students interacted more when they were using the computer. Most of this interaction was concerned with problem-solving. Students…