Gifted adolescents may identify as "gamers" who create avatars to navigate video games and cell phone apps. Avatars provide a unique venue through which gifted teens can explore the issues of self and identity in a critical time of their development. The purpose of this article is to (a) provide an overview of what avatars are, (b)…

One technology made possible through Web 2.0 is podcasting. Podcasts are audio, video, text, and other media files that can be played on the computer or downloaded to MP3 players. This article discusses how to create a podcast and ways to use this technology in education. Benefits and issues related to podcasting are also provided.

This article describes desktop publishing and discusses the features and classroom uses of one of the newest desktop publishing programs. Several desktop publishing projects for teachers and students are suggested. (IAH)

Suggestions are made for overcoming the problem posed by available mathematics computer software, which is primarily drill and practice and intended for use by one student at a time. Three commercial software programs are reviewed. (JD)

This article describes efforts of a classroom teacher to restructure his classroom and change his teaching style with the help of electronic technology. Examples of individual activities and group projects using computers are included. A "Question Clinic," update on nationwide school computer use, and a software workshop are also included. (IAH)

Discusses ways to select and evaluate CD-ROM programs. Various evaluation and review sources are described, results of recent evaluations are related, curriculum ideas for using interactive electronic books in elementary school classes are suggested, sources for CD-ROM classroom activities are provided, and an example of a network CD-ROM exercise…

Relates questions and suggestions from teachers about integrating the Internet and CD-ROM's into social studies instruction. Provides three guiding principles for planning Internet activities in response to teachers' questions. Includes examples of successful projects created by teachers. Argues that successful Internet projects require teachers…

Interactive whiteboards have made quite a splash in classrooms in recent years. When a computer image is projected on the whiteboard using an LCD projector, users can directly control the computer from the whiteboard. In some systems such as Smart and Mimio, the finger is used in place of a mouse to open and run programs or move windows around. In…

Shows how computer technology can be used to enhance teaching in a variety of ways, from software and simulations to networking and telecommunications. (SR)

Video games may allow educators to reach children who have never before been incorporated into an educational experience within the confines of school. A distinction is made between types of arcade style games and educational games in Piagetian terms: practice games, symbolic games, games with rules, and games of construction. (LMO)

Lists hardware, software, and network connections needed for basic videoconferencing; outlines steps in initiating collaborative videoconferencing projects between students in different schools; and describes a videoconferencing project developed by fourth-grade teachers in two elementary schools in Tampa (Florida). Lists resources for further…

The article focuses on the first two of six elements of effective instruction (warm-up and introductory activity) and applies them to the use of computer software aids in special education. Examples of suitable warm-up and introductory activities are provided. (DB)

Describes five existing classroom projects that use multimedia tools and computer technology to teach elementary and high school students multimedia authorship. Each project description discusses the type of computer software used and its uses to students. Projects teach students to incorporate video, audio, text, and graphics into…

The use of geographic information systems (GIS) in the classroom provides a robust and effective method of teaching the primary spatial skills of identification, description, and explanation of spatial pattern. A major handicap for the development of GIS-based learning experiences, especially for non-GIS specialist educators, is the availability…

Offers some suggestions for using a microcomputer in class when only one work station is available. (JC)