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…

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…

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.

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…

The computer is not just a teaching tool, but a teaching medium. Purchase of appropriate software to achieve worthwhile instructional goals is essential. There are several software titles for elementary school educators to consider seriously in mathematics, science, social studies, and language arts. Included is a sampler of effective elementary…

Schools across the country are investing millions of dollars every year in technology, and statistics show that technology in schools has grown at an exponential rate (Dirksen and Tharp 2000; Heath et al. 2000). But are schools getting the most from their technology investment? In this article, the author cites research literature to support his…

Educators must understand the new educational technologies, select the best ones for classroom use, and find innovative and equitable ways to pay for them. The heart of education's technological transformation is the computer; fiber networks, television optical disks, multimedia, satellites, electronic mail, and virtual reality are also important…

One Massachusetts elementary school, desegregated and rebuilt with a complete system of state-of-the-art technology and infrastructure, has shown how technology can influence school restructuring and student achievement. School's technology is integrated into the whole curriculum. Garfield School's experience shows that computers can benefit both…

Technology means more than computers, especially in classrooms for young children. The K-3 technology curriculum should build on children's interest in making things, discovering how things work, and using tools to help accomplish tasks. To prevent computer misuse or overuse, principals must involve teachers in planning the technology curriculum.…