In 2004, prior to the launch of their 1-to-1 laptop program, the superintendent expressed some anxiety about the prospect of radically changing teaching and learning by issuing a laptop computer to every student and teacher. Although the concept was exciting, it carried big risks and would take time and thorough planning to execute well. Even with…

The prospect of radically changing teaching and learning by issuing a laptop computer to every student and teacher is an exciting one, but it carried big risks and would take time and thorough planning to execute well. But even thorough planning can't prevent the unanticipated. In this article, the author counts six major surprises during his time…

For some reason, the idea of the nature writer at work in the open air has been exalted, and it is difficult to think that writing about nature might be compatible with computers, the ultimate indoor toy. However, for students learning to write about nature, a networked computer environment may be the best place to be, not for replacing the…

This study examines the opinions of elementary school teachers currently employed by the Greeneville City School System regarding the utilization and effects of educational technology in the elementary classroom. The System has committed to building and maintaining a state-of-the-art computer network for students served by the district. A large…

Reviews three articles that discuss the ways gender issues and personal characteristics impact computer use. One paper proposes an alternative to using Likert-style attitude measures to study the computer gender gap, and two articles discuss the personal characteristics of teachers that influence computer use. Related studies are mentioned and…

Presents the results of a class experiment that documented the significance of use of the Internet on learning and retention of economic concepts. The results offer evidence of the positive effects of Internet use on both academic performance and students' attitudes toward economics. (MJP)

Describes a pilot project incorporating extensive use of computers in mathematics instruction. Test scores and homework from this group were compared with a group that did not use computers. Results were inconclusive and only revealed a shortage of appropriate instructional software. (MJP)

This second chapter focuses on an analysis of the aspects that characterize the typical content of students' attitudes toward the world of computers. In this connection, it attempts to determine what is of the greatest interest to students as they deal with the world of computers, which types of programs they use, and which magazines they read…

Despite enormous growth of the Internet and its proliferation of tools, resources, and on-line communities, the connection between local learning environments and virtual learning environments remains tenuous. This paper examines this relationship, based upon a case study of an academic unit at the University of Colorado at Denver. Drawing on…

The widespread use of Information Technology (IT) in a college or university setting represents a significant change from traditional ways in which higher education has been conducted. Technological change has repercussions throughout the many dimensions of institutional life. This paper explores the impact of information technology on the…