Discussion of the use of computers in classrooms in Third World countries focuses on a survey of secondary school students in Lagos (Nigeria) that examined pupils' conception of a computer and their perceptions of the role and sociocultural consequences of computers in the classroom. (18 references) (LRW)

A survey of Michigan's teacher preparation institutions sought to determine the extent of current and projected technology integration in teacher preparation programs. A questionnaire asked about faculty development, curriculum modification, hardware and software acquisition, and resource needs. Results indicated a vast variation in technology…

Description of a course in hypertext literacy developed for an advertising and communications department describes the two instructional methods used; argues that hypertext is a unique computer application that can be a valuable learning tool; and discusses hypertext reading and writing skills and barriers to the use of this technology. (21…

Three studies examined the effects of parent educational level on parental attitudes toward the importance of education for their children, Mexican parents' and teachers' attitudes toward the importance of computer training in Mexican schools, and the effects of a parent literacy/computer literacy program on low-income, low-literacy parents and…

Describes efforts in the United Kingdom to integrate information and communication technology (ICT) into schools and the government's aim to have teachers acquire network literacy. Discusses innovation and change in education; results of a study that investigated teachers' attitudes about the impact of ICT; and the need for teacher's professional…

Assessments were made of fourth grade students' attitudes toward computers, their computer vocabulary, and their estimates of classroom access at the end of the academic year 2000. Findings indicate that teachers need sustained hands-on guidance in learning to design and schedule classroom computer activities that both relate to the curriculum and…

Discusses answers to four questions school districts should consider in assessing technology's contributions to education: How should students learn technology skills? Should technology-enhanced learning replace paper-and-pencil knowledge? Will appropriate student use of technology lead to higher test scores? How do we obtain or produce teachers…

The aim of the study was to explore characteristics of 5- to 6-year-old kindergartners' peer dynamics during a seven week learning experience in a computer-based technology-rich classroom in the US. The children (9 boys and 9 girls) were placed in pairs by the classroom teacher, based on her perception of the their friendships. Measures of each…

This study was designed to examine the effects of the competency (low vs. high) and interaction type (proactive vs. responsive) of pedagogical agents as learning companions (PALs) on learning, self-efficacy, and attitudes. Participants were 72 undergraduates in an introductory computer-literacy course who were randomly assigned to one of four…

Curriculum innovations succeed or fail according to the extent to which teachers, and to some extent students, feel that they are meaningfully involved in the process of change. For change to be effective, it cannot be simply imposed from above; rather it depends absolutely on the people who implement it. The innovations described in this book…

A project undertaken at the Gene A. Whiddon Adult Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida sought to prepare teachers, laboratory aides, and students for the introduction of new computer technology in a language laboratory, specifically for instruction in English as a Second Language. The project had three phases: (1) computer literacy instruction for…

Belen Public Schools (New Mexico) received a Goals 2000 grant for teacher education and technology integration. The Belen Goals 2000 professional development project established two three-day teachers-teaching-teachers workshops. The first focused on using an integrated software package and the second focused on using e-mail and the Internet.…

Designed to rate the degree of implementation and quality of all the major components of a computer applications program, this checklist may be used by school district staff to support a self-assessment process, or by an external consultant, to identify elements of the program that need improvement or further development. The following components…

This review of articles and facts about microcomputers focuses on the development of hardware and software and the use of microcomputers in education, particularly rural education. In addition to presenting a brief history of microcomputers, the review presents information regarding the costs and brands of microcomputers; the development, use,…

This paper presents alternative ways microcomputers can be utilized in the educational process. These uses are: (1) learning from, with, and about computers; (2) learning about thinking with computers; and (3) managing learning with computers. Each of these uses is discussed as to its applicability to current educational practice and possibilities…