Digital technology and social media are rapidly changing the way that citizens consume, create, and share information. Many learners spend significant time each day online, yet they have never received training on how to engage meaningfully with the information they encounter. The country's civic present and future depend on our ability to…

As more K-12 students with disabilities enroll in online courses, virtual schools and programs are working to make courses accessible through stronger course design. When course designers approach the issue of accessibility, they must comply with legal requirements and mitigate the challenges many students with disabilities face for literacy and…

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is threefold--to describe the equity-oriented design of a publicly accessible and openly networked computer-supported collaborative learning (CSCL) initiative that has supported educator discussion about equity topics; to identify design principles for equity-oriented design in open education; and to propose a…

Online education for K-12 students has grown rapidly over the past decade. Approximately four million K-12 students enroll in one or more online courses each year. Because online learning is expanding into K-12 settings, teacher education programs need to prepare preservice teachers to be successful in these areas. This paper describes the design…

This article presents an interview with Joe Freidhoff, the director of online learning research and innovation at the "Michigan Virtual University"[R] ("MVU"[R]), a nonprofit corporation in Michigan. He publishes and presents frequently in the area of K-12 online and blended learning research. Dr. Freidhoff completed his…

The Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE) is an international, non-profit educational organization. The Association's purpose is to advance the knowledge, theory, and quality of teaching and learning at all levels with information technology. "E-Learn 2014: World Conference on E-Learning" took place in New…

For the forty-fourth time, the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) is sponsoring the publication of these Proceedings. Papers published in this volume were presented online and onsite during the annual AECT Convention. Volume 1 contains papers dealing primarily with research and development topics. Papers dealing with…

In the past twenty years, substantial investments have been made in educational technology at the K-12 level. While increased integration of technology in K-12 teaching is more likely to occur when prospective teachers are exposed to a variety of computer uses in the majority of their undergraduate courses prior to their teaching in schools, due…

Jefferson County (Colorado) schools have used computers in instructional programs for 25 years, but with limited student access until 1983 when the district purchased its first lab. Controversy arose over computer selection and program curriculum. (SI)

Implementation costs for comprehensive school change designs (like the New American Schools models) vary widely. This article discusses the rationale and cost of each design element: principals and vice principals, instruction facilitators, classroom teachers, education specialists, struggling student strategies, professional development, teacher…

Experiences of the Instructional Services staff of the Minnesota Educational Computing Consortium (MECC) are detailed. To meet the massive demand for computer training, the staff has balanced the three approaches of offering regularly scheduled events, responding to individual requests, and urging institutions to set up their own follow-up…

This monograph discusses the benefits of recycling and reusing assistive technology for students with disabilities. It begins by discussing the benefits of recycled assistive technology for suppliers, students, and consumers, and then profiles programmatic models for assistive technology recycling programs. The advantages and disadvantages for…

Describes how to plan and implement a school's technology infrastructure based on the experience of the Noblesville Schools Corporation (Indiana). Covers philosophical issues that will affect decisions; the need for computer labs and video over the network; and staff training. Presents an educational specifications checklist, and suggests steps…

This article provides information on special education topics on the international front. Topics range from a BrailleNote project in British Columbia, a Swedish program to help Romanian children with special needs, a visual resource room to help New Zealand students with visual impairments, and technology programs in European countries. (CR)

This article discusses the U.S. Department of Education's Preparing Tomorrow's Teachers To Use Technology (PT3) program, an initiative that seeks to enhance the integration of technology across teacher preparation programs. The need for greater participation of special education teacher preparation programs in PT3 is stressed. (CR)