During the second half of the 20th century, the U.S. economy experienced unprecedented levels of growth and expansion. Most notably, the United States shifted from an industrial, goods-producing economy to one dominated by service industries and, more recently, by the emerging knowledge-based field of information technology. The increase of these…

In 2005, the Ministerial Council on Education, Employment, Training and Youth Affairs (MCEETYA) conducted an assessment of Year 6 and Year 10 students across Australia to assess their proficiency in ICT literacy. The 2005 ICT literacy assessment instrument consisted of seven discrete thematic modules. One module, the General Skills Test, included…

Describes the evolution of educational technology curricula and examines its current status. Highlights include graduate curriculum development; the National Defense Education Act; competition between school librarians and media specialists; the inclusion of computer technology; and three case studies of academic programs at Indiana University,…

A survey of 185 secondary mathematics teachers investigated their perceptions of expertise and curricular justifications for the classroom use of databases, spreadsheets, Logo and BASIC. The study determined that teachers who used software regularly tended to have shorter lengths of service, better qualifications, and were more likely to be male.…

Because of rapid changes in the information profession, librarians must actively pursue their own professional development. Presents strategies to enhance this skill in future librarians, including journal discussion clubs, portfolios, peer review, action learning, current awareness strategies, and learning to approach new technologies…

Criticizes computing and information technology curricula in "Higher Still" (proposed new Scottish upper secondary curricula). Argues that the proposals are outdated, inflexible, and inconsistent with current "5-14" curricula. Examines specified courses in information technology, higher computing studies, and information…

Notes that rapid introduction of information and communication technologies in United Kingdom schools, along with government-mandated curriculum requirements, has not been matched by growth in practitioners' understanding of appropriate ways to use the technology. Examines the successful implementation of technology in early childhood settings…

Describes the components of Singapore's Masterplan for Information Technology (IT) in Education, which lays out a comprehensive strategy for creating an IT-based teaching and learning environment in every school. Discusses the impact on childhood learning and on the teaching staff, highlighting the experience of one of the demonstration schools as…

Explores issues related to the use of technology in Indian schools, drawing on information from a variety of sources, such as interviews with parents and teachers, school visits, government information, and magazine and journal articles. Examines India's cultural and educational environments; diversity of parents' and educators' attitudes about…

Describes academic libraries in Germany and how they have been influenced by restructuring and reforming the higher education system, changes in information technology and information industry, and effects of the German reunification process. Discusses library resources, including staff, buildings, and collections; catalogs; preservation; user…

Describes the development of the use of information and communication technology (ICT) in the Israeli educational system. Discusses a behaviorist approach to computer assisted instruction; open-ended courseware; constructivist approaches to multimedia, including simulations, modeling, and virtual reality; technology-based distance learning; and…

Investigates the implementation of a project for fostering information and communication technology (ICT)-based integrated learning environments in Hong Kong schools. Overall, effective ICT integration requires substantial thinking about curricular practice and appropriate teacher training. ICT must provide students with varied experiences and…

A partnership between Wayne State College, Wayne (Nebraska) community schools, and the local chamber of commerce produced fiber-optic telecommunications, Internet access, technology integration, automated libraries, computer networking, and a technology curriculum. The article describes project design, implementation, and growth, as well as…

A University of Melbourne (Australia) study investigated the computer experience of students entering the university and their computer experiences in an introductory course in communication skills. Subjects were 45 students in four classes. The study examined how and where students used computers, computer use in other university courses,…

The Valley City State University (North Dakota) Center for Innovation in Instruction serves the entire state as an educational, informational, and support center for use of emerging technologies in education. The center supports instructional innovation, provides professional development opportunities for teachers and administrators, promotes…