This study examines the factors that influence the creation, purchase, and selection of free instructional technology. Specifically, this study uses the RIPPLES Model to examine the perceptions and reflections of instructional technology directors and staff members with regard to the Resources, Infrastructure, People, Policies, Learning,…

Repositories with educational resources can support the formation of online learning communities by providing a platform for collaboration. Users (e.g. teachers, tutors and learners) access repositories, search for interesting resources to access and use, and in many cases, also exchange experiences and opinions. A particular class of online…

Shares teacher wisdom stories and advice about how to effectively use classroom computers for literacy instruction. Notes that student access to Internet-connected computers improved from 20 students per computer in 1998 to 5.6 students per computer in 2002. Discusses Internet use and software selection. (SG)

A two-year, follow-up teacher survey to a 1993 study was conducted in 1994-95 to learn how changes in hardware and software markets have changed computer use in early childhood classrooms. Assessed what teachers viewed as important software characteristics, software market perceptions, and future software market directions. Found shifts in kinds…

Discussion of school hardware and software selection focuses on a study that identified the most useful pieces of hardware and accompanying software applications as rated by teachers whose sixth- through eighth-grade classes spent a semester working in a special technology-rich environment at Kent State University. Compares ratings by teachers and…

Discusses computer-based instructional management systems and explains how they can help meet goals of individualized learning. Hardware and software components are explained, the use of an instructional management system in a middle school is described, system selection considerations are suggested, and teacher benefits are considered. (LRW)

The importance of the prepared environment to the Montessori educational philosophy necessitates careful teacher training to successfully implement computer technology in the Montessori classroom. This paper explores the views and experiences of 11 Montessori teachers in integrating computers in their classroom. The paper maintains that Maria…

Discusses a new paradigm for choosing educational software, based on the perspectives of the teacher, student, and designer; describes a study of the use of this paradigm by a group of teachers. Results indicated the paradigm helped assessors to articulate a holistic awareness of educational issues, enabling a coherent review of pedagogical,…

This exploratory investigation examined relations between teachers' views of knowledge acquisition and their use of computers in the classroom. A survey instrument that assessed views ranging from objectivism to constructivism is described; and teaching experience, demographic variables, and types of software programs likely to be used are…

Expands on an interview with a practicing teacher to examine the criteria used to decide how to incorporate computers into the preschool curriculum. Identifies and explores four areas of concern: equipment requirements; learning how to use the computer; learning how to manage the computer center; and choosing software. (DLH)

This report reviews software packages for Apple Macintosh and Apple II computers available to secondary schools to teach computer-aided drafting (CAD). Products for the report were gathered through reviews of CAD periodicals, computers in education periodicals, advertisements, and teacher recommendations. The first section lists the primary…

This paper focuses on the discrepancy in the access and use of computers by girls and boys in early childhood classrooms. It is argued that this difference can be attributed to gender biased classroom practices, lack of female role models, and the unavailability of bias-free software programs. The paper: discusses existing forms of gender bias;…

This study was conducted to examine how teachers' beliefs about computer-assisted instruction (CAI) relate to the types of instructional software they use with students, the types of computer related activities they provide for their students, whether they integrate computer usage with other instructional activities, and whether they had received…

The presence of the computer in the classroom is no longer considered an oddity; it has become an ordinary resource for teachers to use for the enhancement of instruction. This paper presents an examination of software infusion, i.e., the use of computer software to enrich instruction in an academic curriculum. The process occurs when a chosen…

When considering the use of computers in their lessons, two questions are important for teachers: how to select courseware and how the role and practice of the teacher may change by using computers. To answer the first question, a courseware-selection checklist was developed and its use by teachers was investigated. The checklist serves the…