Although virtual worlds offer teachers the potential to enhance the K-12 curriculum in novel ways, there have been few systematic attempts to instruct teachers about virtual worlds, research their reactions, or track their explorations of these three-dimensional environments. Therefore, this study was designed to respond to the call to help…

This article defines Twitter[TM]; outlines the features, affordances, and common uses; and conceptualizes "tweeting" as a literacy practice, comprising both traditional and new literacies, and impacting both informal and formal learning settings. Also provided is an overview of traditional and new literacies, and insights from a scan of the…

This article addresses the following questions: What impact does using the theoretical framework of new literacies have on understanding language, literacy, and learning practices today as technologies are constantly being developed and used? What is the state of research in this area? What are some new directions the field might take in order to…

This is a must-have resource for all K-12 teachers and administrators who want to really make the best use of available technologies. Written by Doug Johnson, an expert in educational technology, "The Classroom Teacher's Technology Survival Guide" is replete with practical tips teachers can easily use to engage their students and make their…

This book provides guidance in how to help children use the Internet for learning and fun. The book is divided into three sections. The first section, "Get Ready: The Internet and Its Tools," includes basic information and practice exercises related to the Internet's many tools. Also included is a large subsection on the World Wide Web, which…

At University Laboratory High School, ethics lessons are integrated into the required eight-grade computer literacy course. Six messages are posted online, each containing an ethical scenario. Students add their opinions to each scenario's thread, read each other's postings, and respond to at least one student follow-up message within each topic.…

This book is a collection of articles that examine critical issues of technology, teaching, and learning in three areas: access, communication, and literacy. Following an Introduction by Jay Blanchard, articles are presented in three sections: Access and Opportunity; Online Communication; and Literacy. The articles include: "An Exploration of…

Discusses the ethical use of computer-mediated communication (CMC) and the lack of integration of information ethics into elementary, secondary, and higher education curricula. The development of information ethics instruction is proposed which would include such topics as intellectual property, destruction of digital property, confidentiality and…

"Wiki", the Hawaiian word for quick, can refer to either a Web site or the software that runs it. Ward Cunningham, a Portland, OR, programmer, invented and named the wiki in 1995. He wanted to help a virtual community of programmers communicate efficiently. Teachers and librarians nationwide have begun to explore the role of wikis in…

Discusses several of the unique features of digital text, identifying five key concepts about digital literacy as they relate to technological trends in the workplace and describing a select set of innovative instructional uses of technology that have the potential to transform digital-literacy education. (SM)

Addresses the effects of an after-school computer club network, the Fifth Dimension, on children's computer knowledge development. Compares Fifth Dimension novices and "experts" who had attended several times previously. Concludes that despite the absence of formal instruction, children's knowledge about computers is enhanced. (AEF)

With tens of thousands of information providers and millions of users, Internet is an enormous and growing resource for guidance counselors and other personnel service professionals. In this digest Internet resources of particular interest to the guidance community are identified. Listservs are electronically facilitated (through the use of…

This paper presents ideas about what is required for the development of expertise in computer technology and considers those requirements in the K-12 setting. This analysis comes from the point of view of long-time, self-trained users of personal computers and computer communications and long-time observer of the growth of technology expertise in…

This report summarizes way in which computer technology and communications have been found to enhance learning in K-12 classrooms. This discussion of the learning-related outcomes of computer technology in K-12 education assumes: that the technology is used in appropriate ways, and that the technology is used in the course teaching, by a teacher…

Gives an introduction to three articles addressing the potential value of a network of after-school computer clubs called the Fifth Dimension. The articles demonstrate improvements in computer literacy (near transfer), ability to understand arithmetic and word problems (medium transfer), and reading and mathematics achievement (far transfer). (AEF)