Prior research has highlighted the educational benefit of enabling students to participate in collaborative learning activities. Developing technology that extends the physical boundaries of the classroom and enables students to engage in meaningful collaborative learning activities outside class time can be of significant value. For any…

Examines the use of a local area network in an educational environment to maximize the use of academic computing resources. Topics discussed include information resources, including the Internet; interpersonal communication through electronic mail; group support systems; computer resource management, including software licensing; problems; and…

Defines portability of educational software; examines research regarding the portability of educational materials; considers barriers to portability; describes a research project conducted at the University of Twente (Netherlands) concerning the portability of computer-related educational resources, including networked learning environments; and…

Presents an overview of the Computer-Aided Engineering Network (CAEN) of the University of Michigan. Describes its arrangement of workstations, communication networks, and servers. Outlines the factors considered in hardware and software decision making. Reviews the program's impact on students. (ML)

The University of Wisconsin System (UWS) has attempted to establish a well-defined set of support services for Internet-based teaching and learning for its 27 campuses and LI (Learning Innovations, a UWS organization that focuses on total online programs). The objectives of these services are: to provide all University of Wisconsin (UW) campuses…

Reviews a number of interactive environmental computer education networks and software packages. Computer networks include National Geographic Kids Network, Global Lab, and Global Rivers Environmental Education Network. Computer software involve environmental decision making, simulation games, tropical rainforests, the ocean, the greenhouse…

The EPIEgram newsletter contains information about educational materials and technology for elementary secondary education. In addition to the continuing feature, "The Educational Software Selector" (TESS), the nine issues contain articles on evaluating educational technology; school reform; publishing; multimedia; hypermedia; the…

Describes the growth of educational computer networks in three main categories: (1) networks for sharing peripheral equipment; (2) networks for exchanging information; and (3) networks for addressing instructional needs. The use of microcomputers and mainframe computers is examined, networks in public schools and universities are described, and…

Considers five distinct issues that must be addressed in order to integrate technology into schools and plan for it effectively: infrastructure, including the National Information Infrastructure; professional development for teachers; content and software, including cost effectiveness; equity and access; and financing. (LRW)

Discusses the National Engineering Education System (NEEDS), which provides a fully networked multimedia database, electronic classrooms, and authoring studios for the development of self-paced and collaborative learning environments for engineering education. Topics addressed include program goals; activities, including curriculum, recruitment,…

Describes the use of a telecommunications network by elementary school students in Texas for doing extra-credit homework. A pilot project in an innercity school that used equipment provided by a local corporation is described, use of the network during summer vacation is examined, and expansion of the program is discussed. (six references) (LRW)

The theme of the 1993 National Educational Computing Conference (NECC) was the enabling capabilities of computers and related technologies. These proceedings include the full text of 37 papers and summaries of presentations on the following general topics: teacher training, instructional applications, hypermedia, instructional software, electronic…

Describes a study that provided innercity fourth grade African-American students in Texas with hardware to participate in a telecommunications network to determine whether participation would increase their scores on statewide fifth grade math tests. Time online, content of programs, connections between math and language arts, and student…