The economic and social future of the United States depends on answering the growing demand for very high-speed broadband connectivity, a capability termed "big broadband." Failure to take on the challenge could lead to a decline in global competitiveness and an inability to educate students. (Contains 20 notes.)

The idea of Digital Libraries emerged in the early 1990s from a vision of a "library of the future", without walls and open 24 hours a day. These digital libraries would leverage the substantial investments of federal funding in the Internet and advanced computing for the benefit of the entire population. The world's knowledge would be a key press…

The Internet has great difficulty coping with the sharp increase in mobile devices like cellphones and laptops, and handling bandwidth-hungry traffic such as video, now demanded by an increasing number of users. According to Ellen W. Zegura, chairwoman of computer sciences at the Georgia Institute of Technology, the Internet is like a big…

Provides a brief history of the Internet revolving around four distinct aspects: (1) the technological evolution that began with early research on packet switching and the ARPANET (Advanced Research Projects Agency Network) and continues to expand the infrastructure; (2) operations and management; (3) the social aspect; and (4) commercialization.…

This policy paper explores key trends in information and communication technology, highlights the potential opportunities and problems these trends present for people with disabilities, and suggests some strategies to maximize opportunities and avoid potential problems and barriers. Specifically, this paper discusses technology trends that present…

Electronic technology and high-speed communications are no longer simply aids to collaborative working. In this information era, information that is speedy, accurate and in a form that enables people to make decisions and work productively together across geographical distances is the key to cost-effective efficient collaboration. This paper looks…

Although Bill Clinton and Bob Dole agree that schools should make greater use of computers and the Internet, they differ on many technology issues. Clinton supports an active federal presence in technological advancement, while Dole would eliminate four cabinet-level departments and trim research funding. Online sources of news and facts about…

Nigeria is faced with developmental problems, most of which can be solved with the aid of scientific and technological information contained in books, journals and patents, largely obtainable from the advanced countries. There are academic and research institutions generating information that could enhance the economic development of the country…

This paper summarizes the historical growth of technology and the research that has examined this evolution. Important stages of instructional technology are explored, including the development of computer-assisted instruction and the growing use of the Internet in learning. With this medium's growth will come new opportunities for research and…

The documents enclosed in this report provide a comprehensive and systematic review of the progress made in developing a network organization capable of supporting nanoscience education for the public on a national scale. There is a logic to the studies that were done and to the reports that are included in this notebook. The following are the…

This collection of 18 papers covers four broad areas of teaching and learning in higher education: innovative college teaching/learning strategies; effective classroom research/assessment activities; advanced classroom technology; and developing teaching and learning centers. Papers also address the question of how the college classroom is…