At the first meeting of a districtwide committee on integrating 21st century teaching and learning in their schools, the author asked the committee members if they thought educators could provide a 21st century education if all of the computers and devices suddenly broke. They agreed that teachers do not need computers to provide 21st century…

A dramatic shift is sweeping through the schools. Third graders texting on their cell phones. Kindergarteners who can navigate an iPod Touch better than educators can. Middle schoolers who already have an Internet following on their blog or YouTube channel. These are not the same 21st century learners people came to know over the first decade of…

Schools have struggled for decades to provide expensive augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) resources for autistic students with communication challenges. Clunky voice output devices, often included in students' individualized education plans, cost about $8,000, a difficult expense to cover in hard times. However, mobile technology is…

Social networking is more than catching up with family and long-lost friends; it's turned into a professional resource for educators to exchange ideas and expand their professional learning network (PLN). According to the report "School Principals and Social Networking in Education: Practices, Policies, and Realities in 2010," most responding…

As I reflect on my many years as an elementary school principal, I realize how much more effective I would have been if I had owned a wireless handheld computer. This relatively new technology can provide considerable assistance to today?s principals and recent advancements have increased its functions and capacity. Handheld computers are…

When John Closen became principal of Rogers Elementary School he found three computers, a speech synthesizer, printer, and software and began the computerization of the school. Two years later the school is dramatically transformed. (MD)

The most useful feature of laptop computers is portability, as one elementary school principal notes. IBM and Apple are not leaders in laptop technology. Tandy and Toshiba market relatively inexpensive models offering durability, reliable software, and sufficient memory space. (MLH)

In seeking to answer the question, "Is there evidence that using instructional technology leads to higher levels of student learning?" this report examines research indicating that computer technology can improve student achievement when properly implemented. It identifies four principles that guide effective technology integration and examines…

The task of hiring special education teachers may seem daunting because they serve in what is undeniably the most complex of teaching roles. This article provides guidance and suggestions for identifying key competencies that a viable special education teacher candidate should possess. Although many building leaders may still subscribe to gut…

An array of desktop technologies, including integrated word processing software, presentation software, database software, electronic mail, and Internet search engines, can make a principal's life easier and more challenging. Administrators should devote sufficient time and commitment to honing their skills, sharing their knowledge via hands-on…

Linking individual computers is an economical way to multiply their power and effectiveness. Guidelines for those considering networking as well as guidelines to follow during a network assessment are listed. (SI)

The author addresses the debate over the growing use of technology in early education. Citing a recently released report from the Alliance of Childhood, he argues that technology robs young children of the imaginative play that helps them develop the qualities they will need for future success.

IBM recently released the results of a national survey of classroom teachers' attitudes toward computer technology in the schools. Findings are presented of the survey which was conducted by telephone interviews with 1,100 randomly selected teachers in July 1989. (SI)

Offered are 10 secrets that successful educators have learned about harnessing the power of technology to education. It is important that administrators understand both the capabilities and limitations of technology. (SI)

The average American school now has one instructional computer for every six students. The next hurdle is adapting educational technology to support and extend student learning. Three keys to success are technological resources, cultural commitment, and effective instructional practices. A sidebar tracks the digital divide between haves and…