Video conferencing for use in education has included the development of expensive yet sophisticated technology capable of delivering quality instruction to multiple sites. Limitations arise from using a closed network; factors such as cost to establish and operate the network with video compression or satellite technology can potentially affect…

Two experts, Crawford Kilian and Clifford Stoll, disagree about the Internet's proper role in education. Kilian believes teachers must steer students through information "white water" to utilize the net more productively. Stoll thinks Internet will do little to resolve kids' reading deficiencies, restore music and art programs, or…

Discussion of technology planning in schools focuses on the total cost of ownership, a model from business that can be helpful in determining the real costs of educational technology. Highlights include learning resources; organizational impacts and management; computer network resources, including software; research and development; and spirit…

An overview of integrated learning systems (ILS) is provided. Twelve companies marketing products under the term ILS are identified. Philosophical approaches, curriculum areas, management systems, costs, and company stability are discussed as important considerations for schools considering these companies. (CW)

Describes the design of a learning environment, called the Climate Visualizer, intended to facilitate scientific sense-making in high school classrooms by providing students the ability to craft, inspect, and annotate scientific visualizations. Discusses how visualizations can promote creation of scientific theories, especially in conjunction with…

Describes an experiment in network collaboration using the Geometer's Sketchpad to allow students in a computer laboratory to view one another's work. (MKR)

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)

This issue of "The Electronic School" features a special forum on computer networking. Articles specifically focus on network operating systems, cabling requirements, and network architecture. Tom Wall argues that virtual reality is not yet ready for classroom use. B.J. Novitsky profiles two high schools experimenting with CD-ROM…

Although middle and high schools are progressing in the use of computer technology, elementary schools seem to be lagging behind. Classroom teachers must learn to accommodate individual students' preferred learning styles and integrate computer technology into the classroom. This article describes a Montana elementary school's use of networked…

Explores distance-education evolution and research concerning distance-learning formats. Outlines nine mechanisms (electronic-mail, discussion lists/limited conferencing, telnet, FTP/Gopher, WWW, SLIP/PPP, advanced conferencing software, proprietary software vs. open standards, virtual reality) of the Internet which provide for fundamental changes…

Continues a discussion of the three chief information stations in a videoconference class. Describes the instructor camera at information station #2, an intermediary station between the three stations, and the student camera at station #1, the information station for interactive student participation. (AEF)

The evolution of terms, such as computer security, network security, information security, and information assurance, appears to reflect a changing landscape, largely influenced by rapid developments in technology and the maturity of a relatively young profession and an emerging academic discipline. What lies behind the evolution of these terms?…

This is the second in a series of three papers about online pedagogy and educational practice as part of the JISE "Online Education Forum." This paper deals with the question: "How is teaching online different from conventional teaching?" By comparing these differences along several dimensions, a set of recommended practices for online teaching…

This article reports on the deployment of a high-bandwidth wireless network for content distribution to two schools. The project, titled Digital Middletown, builds upon the sociological Middletown studies from the 1920s (Lynd & Lynd, 1929) to understand how "Middle America" reacts to and addresses societal change. We report on the…

This hearing was held to explore the use of technology in education, and how the government can better encourage its use across the country. It is hoped that hearings of this nature will draw attention to the nation's deficiencies in telecommunications and technologies in schools, and that the country will be able to fill those gaps in the near…