Since 1993, at the regional level, the Minnesota Education Technology Networks (METN), a cooperative of regional networks, provides regional network development, support and leadership to Minnesota school districts. METN member cooperatives provide network coordination, procurement, and other support to help school districts acquire and manage…

Connecticut is committed to ensuring scalable, high-performance, cost-efficient broadband to its public schools and libraries. The Connecticut Commission for Educational Technology (Commission), created in 2000, serves as the educational technology advisor to schools, libraries, and institutions of higher education and started with a mission to…

The 1990 Kentucky Education Reform Act (KERA) created the Kentucky Education Technology System (KETS) authorizing the Office of Education Technology (OET) within the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) to provide internet access to all school districts. One of the key components included in the legislation was the development of a technology…

This paper presents results of a focus group that gathered data from principals of several public schools in Catalonia regarding the educational impact of Industry 4.0 technologies. Conclusions and recommendations are drawn from qualitative analysis with a view to improving smart classrooms via educational innovation. Results show that the schools…

Can daily access to laptop computers help students become better writers? Are such programs affordable? Evidence from the Inspired Writing program in Littleton Public Schools, Colorado, USA, provides a resounding yes to both questions. The program employs student netbooks, open-source software, cloud computing, and social media to help students in…

This report provides national data on the availability and use of educational technology among teachers in public elementary and secondary schools during the winter and spring of 2009. The data are the results of a national teacher-level survey that is one of a set that includes district, school, and teacher surveys on educational technology.…

This article presents an interview with Jim Hirsch, an associate superintendent for technology at Plano Independent School District in Plano, Texas. Hirsch serves as a liaison for the open technologies committee of the Consortium for School Networking. In this interview, he shares his opinion on the significance of open source in K-12.

Presents a debate on which technology will be in tomorrow's classrooms and the pros and cons of wiring classrooms and using a wireless network. Concluding comments address the likelihood, and desirability, of placing computers throughout the entire educational process and what types of computers and capabilities are needed. (GR)

Common Knowledge: Pittsburgh (CK-P) is a school networking project which develops network connectivity and curricular applications in the Pittsburgh Public Schools (Pennsylvania). This article describes CK-P's network architecture; products developed, including a virtual classroom for German language instruction, online physics instruction, online…

Discusses the proper planning and upgrading of telecommunications infrastructure in schools that can support state-of-the-art data, voice, and video applications. An example of one school's efforts at installing an integrated telecommunications system for its 17,500 students is highlighted. (GR)

Proposes regional consortia of school districts that would buy instructional software; create communications networks; develop teaching and training methods; develop effective techniques for administrative management and support; and identify and advocate specific research needs. (MLF)

Reviews six books on technology and science. Views expressed include that technology is a major teacher and that technology would become the efficient deliverer of the education product, to warnings of blindly accepting technology as progress. (MLF)

Consultants can help a school district's technology dreams become realities. Or they can turn those dreams into nightmares. Technology consultants are providing services in several areas including technical assistance and staff training. A sidebar offers tips for finding a consultant and steps districts should follow to make the most of what they…

Delaware became the first state in the United States to provide high-speed network access to every school and have network access in every public school classroom. This article illustrates how Delaware leaped from being technology poor in education to building a solid foundation for growth in educational technology. Critical issues and…

In 1994, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) began surveying approximately 1,000 public schools each year about their access to the Internet, access in classrooms, and since 1996, their type of Internet connections. Based on these findings, this "Issue Brief" discusses the progress public schools have made toward meeting…