This report presents the results of a study of how emerging technologies can help educators deliver standards-based education to K-12 students. The first section of the report provides background on the new technology offerings and defines smart desktop systems. The second section lists critical questions for decisionmakers related to general…

Noting that the merging of various types of media with the computer has presented the field of education with a hybrid technology called interactive multimedia (also referred to as hypermedia), this digest begins by defining this technology as "the integration of text, audio, graphics, still image, and moving pictures into a single,…

Examines the primary considerations in choosing a computer for Web access in a school setting: (1) Internet connection; (2) operating system; (3) processor and memory; (4) video subsystem; (5) audio; and (6) hard disk. Suggests having both a budget and a high-end personal computer. (AEF)

Many educational institutions have a substantial personal computer (PC) network that can be adapted to provide digital video on demand, as well as PCs that can be used as video on demand clients. To gain insight into the issues involved in using this technology in an educational environment that relies heavily on video, a simple, low cost video on…

In 1997, 558 Compaq Armada 1510 notebook computers and Canon color bubble-jet printers were distributed to incoming freshman at Grove City College (Pennsylvania) as a part its Information Technology Initiative (ITI). Objectives of the ITI were: (1) to prepare students for excellence in their chosen profession by providing the necessary…

This paper discusses the factors involved in making decisions about a multimedia display system. Theoretical factors, including gaining and holding learner attention, specific attention-getting devices, encoding and retrieval of information by learners, and presentation of information are considered. Ways that video is associated with computer…

A microcomputer can be used in many different ways to assist people with disabilities. A computer's usefulness for a given individual is determined by the computer applications that are needed and by the specific problems the disability presents. In general, there are currently three ways that people with disabilities can use a microcomputer: (1)…

Assistive technology that can help disabled computer users is described, and a resource guide to computer help for the disabled is presented. The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 has broad implications for higher education, in that it mandates that colleges and universities give disabled students equal access to computers on public…

The Electronic Campus system of Northwest Missouri State University (Maryville) links every office and residence hall room on campus. It also networks these offices and rooms with databases and software applications. The system was developed to provide a low-cost alternative for a public institution where most students could not afford to purchase…