A phonics-based reading curriculum in which students used an iPad to respond was created for students with developmental disabilities not able to verbally participate in traditional phonics instruction due to their use of augmentative and assistive communication. Time delay and a system of least prompts used in conjunction with text-to-speech…

English is one of the most spoken languages in the world and widely accepted as a foreign language in many parts of the world. However, though there has been a high demand for English as a foreign language in the 21st century, it has still been taught or learned through traditional methods and conventional pedagogical approaches. In the digital…

This study extended the assessment of a newly developed computer-aided telephone system with two participants (adults) who presented with blindness or severe visual impairment and motor or motor and intellectual disabilities. For each participant, the study was carried out according to an ABAB design, in which the A represented baseline phases and…

Using touch screens presents a number of usability and accessibility challenges for blind people. Most touch screen-based user interfaces are optimized for visual interaction, and are therefore difficult or impossible to use without vision. This dissertation presents an approach to redesigning gesture-based user interfaces to enable blind people…

In 2005, Tucson, Arizona's Empire High School made headlines for its decision to forgo textbooks in favor of the digital resources that a wireless one-to-one environment could make possible. Now in its third year, this "inverted" curricular model designed around the laptop program has proven key to innovation and is recognized…

Web 2.0 technologies, open source software platforms, and mobile applications have transformed teaching and learning of second and foreign languages. Language teaching has transitioned from a teacher-centered approach to a student-centered approach through the use of Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL) and new teaching approaches.…

There is a whole infrastructure that must support a successful universal student computing requirement. Conventional approaches would have the students plugging into a wired network. That would necessitate network wires and hubs or many ports in each classroom. Students would need access to course-related software. Because the needs would change…

Explains the Apple Core Project, which connects participating Catholic schools/dioceses via the CONNECT telecommunications service. Describes electronic mail and forum features, including a special forum dedicated to Catholic schools. (DMM)

Introduces the 4-E model that predicts an individual's likelihood of using a telematics application for a learning-related task can be expressed in terms of four main sets of factors: educational effectiveness, ease of use, engagement, and environment. Tests this model through a survey of 550 people involved with educational and training…

Describes the use of the AT&T Learning Network by eighth graders at St. Matthias School in Somerset, NJ, to communicate with students around the world. The Learning Network enables students/teachers to work together with students in different geographical locations on various educational projects involving telecommunications. (DMM)

Draws from site visits to 50 2-year colleges to identify computer applications in instruction, services to disabled students, testing, and distance education. Discusses areas in which computer technology has not been used to its full potential. (DMM)

College and university investments in information technology should focus on content, curriculum, and communication, not productivity. In addition, expectations about how technology can benefit higher education should be realistic; there is much to be learned about the appropriate use of technological innovation. (MSE)

Describes the United Kingdom Open University's FirstClass(TM) Computer conferencing system and its role in student support, taking as an example the way it is used for course choice. Suggests that while there are students who use it freely and apparently derive benefit from it, there are also substantial issues to be addressed about its relative…

Examines which skills students develop through social studies and how technology can help elementary students strengthen them. Important skills include understanding and using locational and directional terms and developing research, thinking, decision-making, interpersonal, and reading skills. Technology skill-builders include telecommunications…

Reviews the educational and technological approaches used in telematics-based open and distance learning (ODL). Particular reference is made to projects supported by the Telematics Applications Program (TAP) of the Fourth Framework of the EC Research and Technological Development Program. Concentrates on practice, reflecting the interest in how…