When it comes to technology, many schools know what they want. They want targeted and scalable solutions that enhance learning and meet the NETS.S. And the teachers in those schools want simple, strategic instructional frameworks for developing their students' basic and digital age skills while meeting diverse learning needs. But as many…

A widespread irony in education is that many districts look at technology only in relation to what the students need. As a result, they often neglect to provide teachers with technology-based learning, even though they expect them to support their students with instructional technology. And when they do offer professional development (PD), they…

Good learning experiences ask students to investigate and make sense of the world. While there are many ways to do this, K-12 curriculum has traditionally skewed toward reading and writing to interpret and express students' sense-making. But there is another way. Infographics represent data and ideas visually, in pictures, engaging more parts of…

Discussion of the use of technology to improve student learning focuses on the need for professional competency and describes the Professional Competence Continuum (PCC) which includes core technology skills; curriculum, learning and assessment; professional practice; classroom and instructional management; and administrative competencies. (LRW)

Describes telecollaborative activities as educational endeavors that involve people in different locations using Internet tools and resources to work together. Topics include curriculum-based telecollaboration that has been designed by teachers; educational benefits; Web sites with telecollaborative activities; and criteria for choosing…

Discusses how to teach students to design HyperCard stacks. Highlights include introducing HyperCard, developing storyboards, introducing design concepts and scripts, presenting stacks, evaluating storyboards, and continuing projects. A sidebar presents a HyperCard stack evaluation form. (AEF)

Examines ways to integrate technology into social studies, science, mathematics, and language arts. Describes model elementary and middle-school classrooms in which technology is used to investigate the concept of property, study soil porosity and the water cycle, run a student store, and promote environmental activism. (PEN)

Discusses the use of technology to enhance student learning based on learning processes. Topics include knowledge chunks, assimilation and repetition, cognitive schema, Bloom's Taxonomy, students manipulating the learning environment, student productivity, and checkpoints for evaluating technology utilization. (LRW)

Discusses using word processing programs with beginning writers, including story illustration and keyboarding. An approach to student writing with computers is outlined, highlighting planning, goals definition, and teacher and student aims. Sample student assignments and a sample writing task card are provided. (PEN)

The Center for Technology and Teacher Education at the University of Virginia developed "Kids an Cookies" a free Flash-based materials and software applications to help prepare teachers to use technology to enhance and extend their students' learning of school subjects. Presents the mathematics team set of guidelines to shape the…

Examines schools' current methods of technology planning and suggests that rather than making shopping lists of equipment, they should focus on long-range developing plans for using technology. Highlights include moving away from computer labs and embedding technology into the curriculum, and focusing on information and communication rather than…

Teachers who want to show their students how to use multimedia in their projects should consider using HyperStudio. Four sites listed show HyperStudio's capabilities. Discussion includes publishing HyperStudio stacks on the Internet. Sites for more information are also listed. (AEF)

Discusses how using technology in pre-K-3 classrooms (ages 4-9) can expand and enhance learning. Presents suggestions on integrating computers into classroom environments, and gives tips on introducing computer programs to students. Also reviews characteristics of software designed for early learning, and gives a list of software companies and…

Describes how computer simulations can enhance students' learning of physiology. Discusses how computer models enhance experimentation; using computer modeling in high school science; three steps in students' writing of a simulation; and the value of simulations. Lists six software vendors who offer packages on the PC or Macintosh platforms. (AEF)

Examines three studies that investigated the use of technology in social studies education: (1) Project ICONS (International Communication and Negotiation Simulation) for college and high school students; (2) a study of sixth graders that used "Archaeotype," a computer simulation archaeological site; and (3) a decision-making study of…