Emerging research suggests that providing personal computers to students, in combination with a constructivist teaching approach, holds promise for significant gains in student achievement. As we begin a process of using one-on-one learning with laptop computers in a large urban district, it is important to share information concerning the design,…

This article explores ways computers can be used in special education resource rooms. Discusses management of computer access, integration of computer into curriculum, software selection, and negative computer practices. Models of computer use, including use of computer as individual learning center and use of computer as a cognitive "tool kit" …

Key elements of effective teacher development include a focus on curriculum and job-situated problems, hands-on opportunities to apply learning, and collaboration among teachers (Garet, Porter, Desimone, Birman, & Yoon, 2001; Hiebert, Gallimore, & Stigler, 2002; National Staff Development Council, 2001). Program developers at The Education…

In 1992, the U.S. Department of Education, through its National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), surveyed the mathematics performance of approximately 250,000 students through two comprehensive surveys: (1) the National Assessment and (2) Trial State Assessment. The National assessment surveyed approximately 26,000 fourth, eighth, and…

This paper describes the use of a management process, Systematic Curriculum and Instructional Development (SCID), for developing online multimedia modules. The project, "Collaboratively Creating Multimedia Modules for Teachers and Professors," was funded by the USWEST Foundation. The curriculum development process involved teams of…

The first SERVE Regional Forum on School Improvement brought together 300 educators from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, and South Carolina. These proceedings include: introductory information on SERVE, an introduction to the forum, the forum agenda, comments from participants, summaries of the keynote presentations, and…

In 1994 and 1995, most school-finance legislation at the state level dealt with state aid--36 out of 127 bills introduced in 1994 and 31 out of 212 bills introduced in 1995. This report presents 13 tables that summarize the content of state legislation and identify bills that addressed the formation of study committees, the use of lottery funds to…

The National Society for the Study of Education encourages serious study of educational issues and makes the results of such studies available for informed discussion of the issues. In this volume, the issues associated with technology in the schools are placed in the context of technology as a significant and pervasive feature of contemporary…

To address the increased technological demand in education and the accompanying need for human and technical resources, a task force of four graduate students performed research to make recommendations for technology support staffing at Miramar College in San Diego, California. This technology support plan primarily focuses on personnel issues and…

This paper explores the challenges facing educators to incorporate "informatics"--computer education in the broad context of information technology--into the curriculum for K-12 students, and "capacitation" for teachers, the continuing professional education which enables and empowers teachers to face these demands. The…

This book describes in non-technical language how a small school can greatly expand its course offerings by forming a two-way interactive television (I-TV) network with surrounding school districts. I-TV is the linkage of 3 to 10 school districts over fiber optic, coaxial cable, or dedicated copper telephone lines which enables participating…

This book offers an overview of the cooperative learning process, including its rationale, research base, value, and practical considerations, with an emphasis on two key characteristics: cooperative learning's ability to create communities within classrooms, and well-structured, sequenced assignments which allow students to internalize…

A study of distance education opportunities for second language learning in the Central States region, especially in the less commonly taught languages (LCTLs), investigated the need for such instruction, available technologies, and instructional course design. The first section examines the implications of distance language instruction for the…

The computer has become an indispensable tool for teachers. Presently, many teachers are making efforts to master needed computer application skills. This study first focused on the differences between novice and experienced users to identify possible task-oriented factors that might help novice users overcome the learning curve. Errors frequently…

In recent years there have been substantial changes in the way in which education is structured, financed, and managed in Australia. The move towards more self-management in schools, is now operating in the Australian school systems. Similar changes have been occurring in other countries, spurred on, by the governments' desire to save money. In…