Students today are often assumed to be digitally literate and prepared for college, but that is not always the case. Introductory technology courses at the college level provide students with the technology and digital skills necessary for them to succeed in college. This study, conducted at a small New England "business school" that…

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 digest discusses using spreadsheets in mathematics education. The case is made that being able to manage spreadsheets is an important skill in the technologically enhanced new millennium. An annotated list of World Wide Web resources is included. (MM)

Reviews the current state of electronic gradebook software programs. Discusses what they can do, their use and their shortcomings, and database management and electronic spreadsheet programs. (SR)

Designs a set of spreadsheet-supported activities to examine how preservice and inservice teachers behave in an exploratory computer setting, thus providing clues capable of informing the design of other learning opportunities using this technological tool. Describes the content of the activities devised and some of the strategies used by teachers…

Shows how the joint use of a dynamic geometry program and a spreadsheet can provide a computational environment for exploring geometry on plane lattices that lessens the risk of developing the false empiricist view of mathematics often associated with the use of information technology. Contains 17 references. (Author/ASK)

Describes a spreadsheet activity for the iodine-clock reaction which follows the concentrations of all reactions and products for 200 seconds and gives the induction period. Explains that, although there are limitations to the spreadsheet, it is nevertheless illuminating. (Author/ASK)

Takes a theme from "IMPACT Maths" and works it into a spreadsheet activity to display data in bar charts, pie charts, and line graphs. (ASK)

Presents a student mathematics project aimed at developing students' skills with computer spreadsheets and using the Internet to give students an appreciation of the many ways that mathematics can describe common everyday items--in this case the bicycle--and make them aware of their own role in learning. (ASK)

Indicates the importance of teaching discrete mathematics. Describes how the use of technology can enhance the teaching and learning of discrete mathematics. Explorations using Excel, Derive, and the TI-92 proved how preservice and inservice teachers experienced a new dimension in problem solving and discovery. (ASK)

Presents an activity in which students use computer-based spreadsheets to find out how much grain should be added to a chess board when a grain of rice is put on the first square, the amount is doubled for the next square, and the chess board is covered. (ASK)

Shares experiences with using "The Wall", a number patterns spreadsheet idea developed by Dave Shiers, with children in a middle school. (ASK)

Describes an attempt to systematically incorporate "active learning" into the structure of an elective course designed to instruct students in computer-based approaches to statistics. Concludes that this approach to statistics instruction resulted in both high student learning and high student motivation to learn. Contains 15 references.…

This issue of "TAP into Learning" focuses on technology-assisted learning activities for students, in particular on those that use spreadsheets. Articles include: "Using What Learners Know"; "Activity: Grade 7 and 8 Math, Social Studies and Language Arts"; "Managing Growth: Collaborative Decision-Making in Urban Planning"; "Spreadsheets"; "Getting…

Discusses reasons for using spreadsheets in science teaching. Presents a list of possible applications together with examples of these from very simple to more complex uses including animation of dynamic systems. Also provides a list of references for materials for beginners and more advanced users. Contains 12 references. (Author/ASK)