The development of digital information transfer, storage and communication methods influences a significant effect on education. The assimilation of pervasive computing and communication technologies marks another great step forward, with Ubiquitous Learning (U-learning) emerging for next generation learners. In the evolutionary view the 5G (or…

Under pressure to keep spending down but also keep pace with rapid technology changes, many districts are future-proofing their schools--trying to get the most out of their tech spending by providing solutions they will be able to use now and in the future without major, expensive infrastructure overhauls. The idea is growing in popularity across…

Providing an evolving foundation for 21st-century research and education, cyberinfrastructure is both a focus for invention and an accelerator of innovation, linked through a trajectory that begins with design and evolves to broad-based use. (Contains 1 figure, 1 table and 11 notes.)

What is the current thinking about cyberinfrastructure for the liberal arts, what models for transinstitutional collaboration and institution building are emerging, and what steps can campuses take to move this agenda forward? (Contains 23 notes.)

Explores the concept of electronic books and how they fit in with educational technology. Topics include new portable devices that store multiple electronic books; multimedia capabilities; the ability to connect with other electronic devices, including computer networks; and future possibilities that may depend on the acceptance of change. (LRW)

In this article, the author looks to the past for trends in hardware, software, networking, and education and attempt to extrapolate where they are going and what their broad implications might be. However, there are many different ways that trends can be interpreted, and it is easy to pick trends that support one's thesis and ignore ones that…

Discusses the current use of simulation and gaming in a variety of settings. Describes advances in technology that facilitate the use of simulation and gaming, including computer power, computer networks, software, object-oriented programming, video, multimedia, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence. Considers the future use of simulation…

Offers insights about online conferences from a participant's perspective. Topics include the development of computer-network technology that has improved online conferences; advantages, including early access to conference papers, participants' degree of control, increased interaction, convenience, and cost effectiveness; and suggestions for…

Explains the passing of the information age and discusses its successor and the paradigm for the immediate future; i.e., the communication age. The importance of the communication age to elementary and secondary education is outlined, and the emerging wide-bandwidth Internet technology is discussed. (Author/LRW)

Examines the relationship of OCLC and the regional library networks and suggests possible future trends. Common values among the networks are discussed, including a commitment to resource sharing and representing the interests of their members; and the influences of advances in technology are described. (three references) (LRW)

Describes the proposed Blacksburg Electronic Village project, a prototype community telecommunications network which delivers network services to an entire Virginia town. Possible educational, business and professional, civic, and quality of life uses are suggested. The importance of concentrating on applications and user services instead of…

Presents insights into the state of networking of the near future. Discusses the promotion of virtual reality in every-day society; the unlimited bandwidth of optical networking; and terrestrial wireless links tethered to optical tools. (AEF)

Reviews the current state of the Internet as a data transport system and some of its emerging problems. Discusses two major research initiatives--Internet 2 and Next Generation Internet (NGI)--and network-level services that may see deployment in these new research testbeds. Concludes with speculations about future changes to the Internet as a…

Examines contrasting scenarios of the proposed National Information Infrastructure and its antecedents, the Internet and the NREN (National Research and Education Network). Topics include a public network offering popular services versus a private, revenue-driven network; network development; information superhighway analogies; network benefits;…

This paper discusses the process for developing a campus-wide computer ethics policy at Illinois Wesleyan University. As a part of a campus-wide computerization planning effort, the university realized it would be necessary to set in place rules of conduct, methods of monitoring conduct, and penalties for transgressions of these policies. The need…