Presented is the background, history, and development of the National Science Foundation's national computer network NSFNET. The growth of the system and the development of new features of the system including high speed communications are discussed. Examples of current uses are provided. (CW)

Presents 10 guidelines for seeking legislative support and funding for new educational technology in small rural schools. Summarizes suggestions obtained in legislator interviews concerning effective proposals and presentations to legislators. (SV)

Answers early childhood teachers' questions concerning the addition of a computer to the classroom setting. (BB)

Reviews the controversy over the effects that various forms of computer use are likely to have on different children's learning, motivation, and social behavior. Considers difficulties in the current state of empirical research in this area, and offers recommendations for future research. (Author/BJV)

Discussion of assistive technologies that help students with multiple impairments focuses on procedures and equipment used by a college student with Usher's Syndrome, involving vision and hearing impairments. Highlights include federal legislation; problems and possible solutions at various educational levels; specific learning problems; and…

Encourages teachers to follow their students' example of learning to use and exploit the capabilities of the Internet by logging on, exploring the possibilities for researching a topic, documenting sources, and utilizing new types of information. Gives list of valuable Internet sites by subject area to aid in lesson planning and assignments. (ET)

Reviews emerging applications of microcomputers and hypermedia to assessment. Use consists mainly of computerized test administration of multiple-choice tests drawn from item banks. Significant advantages are possible in several areas including immediate feedback to students, formative evaluation with remediation possibilities, and monitoring…

A national survey of 140 college and university presidents concerning the design, content, and status of faculty development programs suggests that renewed institutional efforts are needed to ensure that faculty will understand the changing nature of their disciplines. Major retraining in informational and educational technology is urged, with…

Provides a fictitious journal from an ideal technology-enhanced student activity in the future based on existing network-based projects developed over the last five years. Illustrates how technology can enhance learning in ways such as encouraging reform, providing tools for thinking, expanding educational possibilities, and supporting classroom…

Asserts that teacher educators struggle with how to represent the complexities of teaching in an isolated and sanitized undergraduate classroom. Describes three approaches: (1) case studies; (2) development of hypermedia environments; and (3) the integration of electronically based computer networks. (CFR)

Reports on a forum of publishers with international experience producing geography textbooks for higher education. Discusses the role of textbooks, international differences in courses, impact of changes within the discipline, and emerging technologies. Outlines three thematic trends in geography textbook publishing. (CFR)

Technology can be useful in physics classrooms, though teachers must be careful not to let technology remove students from first-hand experiences with nature through observation and experimentation. The paper examines how to enhance physics instruction using computers as graphing tools, for data collection, and as real-world simulators. (SM)

Presents a study conducted to determine the opinions of educational technology professionals and students about the future of the field. Topics include educational technology and learning theory, instructional design models, technology and individualized instruction, advances in technology, educational technology and schools, and employment and…

Presents the ASSURE (Analyze learners, State objectives, Select media and materials, Utilize media/materials, Require participation, Evaluate and revise) model, an approach for training professional staff on implementing technology in schools. Design and implementation of workshops for school staff are described, and a sidebar outlines a six-day…

Discusses the use of World Wide Web (WWW) Homepage for school information. Topics include school sites; installation of a WWW browser; file tags; sites for beginner's guides to the language (HTML); two Usenet discussion groups; and a sample lesson plan including objective, procedure, and evaluation. (AEF)