This digest reviews some significant research on technology use in the classroom that examines how investment in technology will pay off in terms of student learning, and it indicates the conditions under which technology is most likely to have a positive impact on student learning. First presented are two longitudinal studies on how students…

Improvements in portable computing technology and examples of successful pilot programs using laptop computers and other portables have inspired many K-12 schools to consider laptops for their students. In a study of Anytime Anywhere Learning, commissioned by Microsoft (published as the Rockman Report), five models were identified of laptop use…

The goal of any professional development program is to inform and change teacher behavior as a result of new information. Professional development activities need to be designed in a way that ensures that teachers' time and your investment in time and money pay off in increased student achievement. Getting teacher buy in is important when…

The infusion of technology in schools, colleges, and departments of education (SCDEs) may be placed along a continuum. At one end of the continuum, technology infusion is described as not being central to the teacher preparation experience. At the other end of the continuum, progress is represented by changing courses and changing thinking. This…

This Digest examines the effective integration of technology into schools and explores the importance of technology to school leaders. It asks why and how administrators should promote technology and asserts that school leaders who implement technology effectively will contribute greatly to education and the economy. It cautions, however, that…

This digest briefly reviews connections among the literature on the adoption of innovations, technology integration, and the value of reflection in encouraging educators to explore the integration of new educational technologies into their current teaching practices. An approach to prompting reflection is described, which uses structured guidance…

Virtually every aspect of modern life has been changed and shaped by the computer's tiny, ubiquitous silicon chips. It is not surprising that computers have had a profound effect on the way students learn in the modern classroom. This topical bibliography and commentary focuses on how computers can be used to enhance the teaching of language arts.…

To be effective, technology cannot exist in a vacuum, but must become part of the whole educational environment. New measures of evaluation are under development which would help to better define the role of technology in its wider context. This ERIC digest summarizes the observed benefits of technology implementation and addresses the importance…

This digest describes an integrated approach to teaching computer skills in K-12 schools. The introductory section discusses the importance of integrating information skills into the curriculum. "Technology Skills for Information Problem Solving: A Curriculum Based on the Big6 Skills Approach" (Michael B. Eisenberg, Doug Johnson, and…

This digest contains four sections that discuss the following broad principles that offer a framework to teachers for thinking about how technology can support their instruction: (1) learning occurs in context, including ways that technology can facilitate learning by providing real world contexts that engage learners in solving complex problems,…

Arguing that whenever new technology is adopted, instructors should always consider the purpose of promoting study. This Digest offers suggestions about using the computer as a study and learning aid. The Digest first discusses independent study, collaborative study, and interdisciplinary work with the help of the computer. The Digest then…

This book is designed to prepare information mentors-educators, parents, educational concept developers, subject-matter experts, and others who guide K-12 students to information literacy to provide instruction, guidance, and services to teach K-12 students how to solve information problems using a variety of information tools and resources. The…

Summarizes ERIC documents and journal articles and highlights World Wide Web resources that discuss uses of technology in the elementary school classroom to foster student learning. (TJQ)

Peakview is a new school that is implementing a number of organizational and teaching strategies advocated by the school restructuring reform movement. Among those strategies is the infusion of more than 80 networked microcomputers and related technology and software. This evaluation study examined the impact of the technology on the school…

The Families, Technology, and Education Conference was held in late 1997, when computer technology and the Internet were raising concerns as well as presenting new opportunities for parents. The conference papers in this collection are organized into six sections. Papers in the General Sessions section are: (1) "Reading the President's…