College courses that include universal design features can minimize the need to provide accommodations for students with disabilities and make courses accessible to students from diverse backgrounds. This article examines how principles of Universal Instructional Design (UID) and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) can be incorporated into an…

How can children lead productive and satisfying lives in the 21st century if school teachers are having them use technology from the 20th century? The hallmark of the 21st century global workplace is the computer. According to a recent Pew Internet and American Life Project study, "The Digital Disconnect: The Widening Gap between…

This study investigated criteria that 91 pre-service teachers used to evaluate award-winning virtual museum exhibits for future use in teaching. Individual differences affected ratings, including teaching experience, age and gender. A categorization of participants' reasons for selection included audience level, site design and information…

America's K-12 education system faces three significant challenges: (1) increased global demands for skilled workers, (2) significant financial shortfalls, and (3) a looming teacher shortage. Independently, these factors present significant challenges for U.S. schools. In combination, they create a national imperative for swift action to create a…

As President Obama said in advance remarks about the American Graduation Initiative: "[T]he hard truth is that some of the jobs that have been lost in the auto industry and elsewhere won't be coming back. And that only underscores the importance of generating new businesses and industries to replace the ones we've lost, and of preparing our…

A web-based formula-driven tool has been developed for the purpose of performing two distinct academic department budgeting functions: allocation funding to the department, and budget management by the department. The tool's major features are discussed and its uses demonstrated. The tool's advantages are presented. (Contains 10 figures.)

The Maui Hawaii Educational consortium (the Maui School District and Maui Community College) sought scientifically based evidence for the effectiveness of the "Cognitive Tutor" ("CT") Algebra I Curriculum to inform adoption decisions. Decision makers were particularly interested in whether the use of the "CT" program…

This paper describes technology issues that educators, teacher educators and students in the Pacific Islands confront, specifically in American Samoa (a U.S. territory) and Chuuk (one of the Federated States of Micronesia). It will also briefly mention issues relevant to Yap and Kosrae (two other states in Micronesia), and the Marshall Islands.…

Consists of eight articles on agricultural education, with some emphasis on Hawaiian education. Topics include (1) an overview of agricultural education; (2) changes in vocational agriculture; (3) program development; (4) the school-community relationship; (5) teachers as counselors; (6) linkages; (7) computer applications; and (8) agriculture on…

Computer activities that combine education and entertainment make learning easy and fun for preschoolers. Computers encourage social skills, language and literacy skills, cognitive development, problem solving, and eye-hand coordination. The paper describes one teacher's experiences setting up a computer center and using computers with…

This paper describes the technology and benefits of distance education, especially microcomputer-assisted programs, for isolated schools with limited access to certified teachers. An interactive system known alternately as audiographics teleteaching and microcomputer-aided teleteaching was recently introduced at Brigham Young University's (BYU)…

This article details some of the ways that the Kamehameha Schools Bishop Estate (Hawaii) is dealing with the challenge of education in the computer age, including distance learning, Internet linkups, the Hawaii Educational Wide Area Network, and campus closed-circuit and cable television. (SM)

Diana Oshiro, Assistant Superintendent for the Office of Information and Telecommunications Services, Hawaii State Department of Education, supervises voice, data, video, and information systems serving the department. This article presents an interview in which she discusses the importance of technology in education and describes the need for…

Immediacy behaviors enhance perceptions of closeness to others. In traditional and online college courses, instructor immediacy predicts student reports of learning and motivation. Student immediacy is theoretically also important in any learning community. However, there is little research on cyber-student immediacy as a predictor of course…

Describes TECH CORPS, a nonprofit organization of information systems professionals in 36 states who train teachers, set up school computer labs, and advise about hardware and software purchases. Discusses industry sponsorship; grassroots leadership; and TECH CORPS involvement with both state projects (Hawaii, West Virginia, Washington, DC, New…