After more than ten years of asking rural Minnesotans about their access to high-speed Internet service, it is possible to draw a few conclusions: (1) It is fairly well accepted now that broadband access has become a necessity for functioning at full capacity in today's world; (2) The digital divide isn't what it used to be; (3) Broadband no…

The for-profit sector of higher education has generated some disturbing headlines recently. Widely publicized charges of predatory recruiting practices have prompted new regulations and provided fuel for scorching criticism of the entire business model. But while the spotlight is focused on what for-profits are doing wrong, are people overlooking…

In the ten years since the Center for Rural Policy and Development began its survey of broadband adoption in Minnesota, the growth of broadband use -- and its necessity -- has been nothing short of remarkable. Since 2001, its availability has spread steadily, and its adoption has risen accordingly statewide. Both private and public entities have…

Reasons for the importance of using technology in education and problems encountered by Minnesota schools in maximizing the potential of modern technology are discussed in the introduction to this report, which also summarizes actions taken by the state legislature to support technology utilization, inservice training for the use of technology,…

Purpose: E-portfolios, which document and facilitate learning and performance, have recently attracted interest in the USA, UK, and Europe as means to increase employability and support lifelong learning. This article aims to critically examine these objectives in order to guide the future e-portfolio practice. Design/methodology/approach: Social…

Many advocates for children are not yet involved in decision making and planning regarding the right of all children, regardless of family income, to benefit from information technology. This Kids Count report explores critical issues about information technology and children's literacy, education, and intellectual development. The report explains…

Developing Information Technology (IT) skills in pre-service teachers and identifying IT competencies required of practising teachers is an issue challenging most developed nations. This paper looks at IT capabilities required by a number of educational systems and discusses IT skills developed in the Bachelor of Education (Primary) degree at the…

With the increasing importance of information technology and access to local, state, and global information networks, it is vital to have a statewide plan for providing all elementary and secondary students with the knowledge and skills to manage and use information. Without a statewide plan, large groups of schools and their students will be left…