The American Institutes for Research was commissioned by the Pew Internet & American Life Project to conduct a qualitative study of the attitudes and behaviors of Internet-using public middle and high school students drawn from across the country. The study is based primarily on information gathered from 14 gender-balanced, racially diverse focus…

This study explored children's preferences for 13 computer software programs and field-tested the relationship of developmentally appropriate practice (DAP) ratings of early childhood computer software programs to actual child selection. Participants were 19 4-year-olds. The Haugland and Shade (1990) evaluation instrument was used to assign DAP…

This paper provides a brief description of high tech stress as exhibited by students and teachers in virtual classes called "asynchronous anxiety," as well as ways of dealing with the problem. The paper challenges readers to become involved in a dialogue during the discussion. Highlights include: students' distrust of e-mail messages and…

The overall aim of the study "Children's Use of Electronic Technologies in the Home" was to examine the access to and use of electronic technologies in the homes of primary-school-aged children. The impact of electronic technologies on the children's lives, particularly with reference to their schooling was also discussed. This stage of…

Even in schools where there is a strong push to adopt and use technologies, the road to content fulfillment is a long one. The technology learning curve tends to eclipse content learning temporarily--both students and teachers seem to orient to technology until they become comfortable. This dilemma has important implications for teachers'…

Educators today are under tremendous pressure to make use of the latest in technology while continuing to provide quality educational experiences for students. Quality staff development is essential and costly, especially in rural areas. This study looked at the use of mentoring as a positive strategy for building teacher confidence in technology…

This study identified direct and indirect effects of Web users' age, gender, technical training, computer and Web competencies, perceived usefulness of the Web, and perceived needs of the Web on their Web use. A theoretical model for the variables that affect individual differences in Web use was conceptualized through related literature and…

This study examined whether there was a difference in the attitudes toward computer use of preservice and inservice teachers. The Computer Literacy Attitude Survey, a survey which reflected attitudes toward computer use, was administered to 50 preservice teachers enrolled in a 10-week instructional technology course and 30 inservice teachers…

This study investigated preservice teachers' perceptions of the teachers' role in the classroom with computers. The following questions were investigated: (1) What are the preservice teachers' perceptions of the teachers' role in the classroom with computers, measured in terms of teacher-centeredness and student-centeredness? (2) What are the…

Describes the technology-rich American School in Tokyo, Japan, its equipment, and ways students are using the school's technology. Notes three lessons learned from working in a high-tech environment: (1) teachers must be enthusiastic about technology; (2) they must create a plan that copes with constant change; and (3) they must invest in computer…

Examines gender differences in computer use, citing male- oriented software as a possible reason girls are turned off, and highlights traditionally feminine and gender-neutral games. Describes ways of encouraging females: all-female computer and math classes, pairing students, mentoring, integrating technology into content areas, early…

Contends that early childhood educators need to understand how exposure to computers and constructive computer programs affects the development of children. Specifically examines: (1) research on children's technology experiences; (2) determining best practices; and (3) addressing educators' concerns about computers replacing other developmentally…

Researchers studying attitudes toward computer careers interviewed 68 students in a university computer science course, 33 secondary school girls, and 19 women working professionally in computer-based careers. Both groups of students tended to stereotype computer-related careers as menial, isolating, and overly technical; this view differed…

Describes a study that examined technophobia in elementary and secondary public school teachers as an explanation for low levels of computer utilization. Highlights include empirical studies of technophobia; technophobia interventions; demographic differences; computer availability and use; computer anxiety; computer attitudes; and predictive…

Research suggests that computer anxiety and computer experience are related. Some relationship between age and gender and computer anxiety has been suggested but not sufficiently examined. Other relationships have been explored with little result, and little is known about mediating computer anxiety. A model of the development of computer anxiety…