This article uses the consolidated school system of the city of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County (North Carolina) as a strategic case study to theorize more fully the corporate role in contemporary school reform. It provides an integrative analysis of corporate participation in educational policy formation and implementation. After providing…

The Blondin family undertook a 9-month educational journey across the United States that revolved around a unique learning experience incorporating current technology. The family's three children were enrolled in Northwest Academy in northern Michigan, a science- and technology-based public academy for grades 6 through 12 that supported their plan…

This paper suggests that many large organizations seek technological solutions to compensate for reduced manpower and funding resources. One such organization, the U.S. Army, has compensated for resource reductions by focusing on integrating advanced technologies into the functional areas of training, acquisition, and test and evaluation. While…

University Primary School (UPS) is an early childhood gifted program affiliated with the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. This paper highlights three innovative uses of technology at UPS: Knowledge Web pages, photo portfolios, and Chickscope. The Knowledge Web pages are a collection of Web pages that serve as a virtual bulletin board…

This report presents a sector-wide review of three types of cost-containment initiatives. The first, collaboration, allows for the sharing of resources, facilitates joint purchasing agreements, reduces duplication of services, and expands personal and professional contacts, but requires time to develop institutional relationships. The second,…

This study examined recent (1995-1998) education students' exposure to a variety of instructional technologies prior to taking a required instructional technology course. The purpose was to identify how frequently students had used various technologies before entering the required course and to identify longitudinal changes and/or trends in…

This paper discusses the poor preparation of children with disabilities in math and science fields, and the perception that students with disabilities are not capable of doing work in science and math, which is often reinforced by teachers and parents. It is argued that the low expectations and waived requirements for children with disabilities…

This paper describes an inservice training program, developed collaboratively by the Idaho Assistive Technology Project and the Idaho State Department of Education, that is designed to increase the expertise of Idaho's special educators in the area of assistive technology. The lack of training Idaho's special educators have had in assistive…

This book provides a review of literature and discussion of theory and practice focuses on the value of linguistic interactivity (dialogism) in technology-based instruction, particularly in the fields of second language instruction and cross-cultural communication. The bulk of the document discusses theory concerning dialogue, dialogism,…

This brief examines patterns of Internet access in schools. Highlights include: (1) Between fall 1994 and 1997, Internet access in public schools increased from 35 to 78 percent, but in fall 1997, 27 percent of instructional rooms had Internet access; (2) in fall 1995, public schools were more likely to have Internet access than private schools…

This paper reports on a study that conceptualizes a research framework to aid software design and development for virtual reality (VR) computer applications for instruction in the sciences. The framework provides methodologies for the processing, collection, examination, classification, and presentation of multimedia information within hyperlinked…

This study describes the creation of a Web-based resource guide entitled "Virtual Center of Community College Transformation" that identifies the basic elements needed to help community colleges respond to changing economic conditions, escalating demands for education from an increasingly diverse population, differing student learning styles, and…

This paper is based upon the findings of four major research projects. The first project (1986-88) explored issues of good practice, accreditation, and progression in information technology (IT) education and training for teenagers between the ages of 12 and 20. The second project produced the National Curriculum documents. A consensus resulted…

Although limited finances and a student body of 3,200 have made it necessary to be selective in acquiring educational technology, the Plainfield (Illinois) Community Consolidated School District No. 202 has been very active in the regional partnership for excellence. Curricular programs at the Plainfield High School include use of…

This paper considers the technological aspects of learning environment analysis in the instructional development process. Characteristics of a technology-based learning environment are discussed, and old and new models of technology and learning are examined. The connection between technology and cognition is addressed, and the importance of…