This work, part of the Spanish government's National I + D Plan 2004/07, entitled "Observatics: the implementation of free software in ICT centres in Andalusia: an analysis of its effect on the teaching-learning process", aims to describe the most recent impact of online communication technologies on education in Andalusia (Spain),…

In on-demand education, students often experience problems with directing their own learning processes. A Structured Task Evaluation and Planning Portfolio (STEPP) was designed to help students develop 3 basic self-directed learning skills: Assessing the quality of own performance, formulating learning needs, and selecting future learning tasks. A…

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) provides several funding opportunities that can assist states in designing, developing, and implementing statewide education longitudinal data systems. These new and enhanced information systems will enable states to track student progress within and across the secondary and postsecondary education…

Offers eight guidelines for educators who will be using and supporting computer-based instruction and incorporating Internet capability into their classrooms and curricula. (SR)

Presents suggestions for creating successful web-based activities in the geography classroom: (1) write clear, simple instructions; (2) consider how and when students will conduct the exercise; (3) have a backup plan; (4) expect late assignments; and (5) counter distractions. Provides a table with potential activities for physical geography and an…

This document is designed to provide assistance to people in school districts who are responsible for making decisions regarding the purchase and use of microcomputers in business and office education programs. A section on planning considerations outlines considerations that need to be addressed, available resources, and maximizing the use of…

The emerging field of participatory design is devoted to involving end users of a new technology in the design of that technology. This paper presents a case study of the participatory design of educational software and discusses guidelines derived from federally-funded formal research on participatory design projects. The case study involved the…

This document, which is one in a series of curriculum materials that has been developed for use in Ohio agricultural education programs, contains 338 black-and-white photographs of a set of color slides and an accompanying script that, together, are intended as an aid in the study and identification of 150 different commercially important…

This report contains recommendations and guidelines for the development of a national computer education program for all Australian schools. The introduction provides background information on the appointment of the National Advisory Committee on Computers in Schools, including the guidelines and objectives set for it by the government. Chapter 2,…

The Internet offers trade and industrial (T&I) educators a wealth of readily available information for use as teaching aids, supplemental materials, and laboratory resources. These materials provide many distinct benefits; however, there are also several issues that must be addressed when using the Internet as an adjunct in teaching. These…

Threaded discussion forums are asynchronous, World Wide Web-based discussions occurring under a number of different topics called threads. By allowing students to post, read, and respond to messages independently of time or place, threaded discussion forums give students an opportunity for deeper reflection and more thoughtful replies than chat…

Developed by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Information Network (O*NET) team, the O*NET[TM] Career Exploration Tools (Version 3.0) consist of three main parts: (1) the Interest Profiler; (2) the Work Importance Locator; and (3) the O*NET[TM] Occupations Combined List. The Interest Profiler is a self-assessment career exploration tool…

This document is intended to help teachers teach their students about the Selective Service registration requirement and the need for young men to register with the Selective Service System in order to maintain their eligibility for federal loans, grants, and other educational benefits. The first 50% of the document consists of 10 sections devoted…

Electronic learning (or "e-learning) has become an integral part of organizational training. E-learning may be delivered via numerous electronic media, including the Internet, intranets, extranets, satellite broadcast, audio/videotape, interactive television, and CD-ROM. At its best, e-learning is individual, customized learning that allows…

Teachers responsible for transforming their vocational education programs into career and technical education (CTE) programs need to concentrate on ensuring programs' technical and academic rigor, engaging in collaboration in school and in the community, keeping current through professional development experiences, and extending learning beyond…