Describes a study that investigated the effect of three different Web menu designs on users' information-seeking performance and attitudes. Results of analysis of variance showed different effects of menu design on both searching performance and browsing performance, but no significant differences in users' perceptions. (Contains 75 references.)…

Examines the factors contributing to the progression of microcomputers into the early childhood classroom. Suggests that inevitable changes in the character of early childhood education caused by technology will, in fact, be positive changes. (HTH)

Suggests it is not difficult to imbue computers with human personalities. Discusses the work of Rodolphe Topffer (1799-1846), an artist, designer, and amateur psychologist. Concludes that responding socially to computers has significant implications for media literacy. (SG)

Even if women overcome negative perceptions of computer-related jobs, studies of children and computers and of college students' responses to mock job ads indicate that abilities and traits for technology jobs may be associated more with one gender than the other. This may influence career choices in gender typical or atypical areas. (Contains 47…

To examine the role of teachers' conceptual representations of the Internet and World Wide Web, a survey and 10 case studies were conducted among pre- and in-service teachers enrolled in university courses. Results reveal diverse, plausible representations, not related to level of expertise. Experts were found to have a "representational…

Interviews and observations of four adult literacy students elicited their experiences with computers and effects of computer use on learning. They found computer-assisted learning challenging and motivating; it enabled them to control their learning experience. However, they may not have access outside the classroom that would enable future…

As a result of the general improvement in living conditions in industrialised Western countries, people aged over 60 years usually reach the third age in good mental and physical condition. Contemporary society has thus had to endeavour to offer the new old not only social services but also pastimes, leisure, social, cultural and educational…

The Computer Anxiety Scale (CAS) is a measure of perceptions by individuals of their anxiety in different situations toward computers. The CAS was developed a number of years ago before computer technology became such an integral part of life. Covariance modeling techniques were used to examine whether the originally proposed construct of computer…

Many older adult have an interest in learning to use computers. The study reported in this article examined whether older adults' attitudes toward computers can be influenced by direct, customized computer training. Thirty older participants who registered for introductory computer courses offered at a SeniorNet computer lab completed the…

The impact of gender on computer related attitudes, ability, and use has been actively documented, but little research has been done examining how to modify and reduce imbalances. The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of ubiquitous computing (24-hour access to a laptop and the Internet) on gender differences in pre-service teachers…

Editor-in-chief James Morrison sat down with Deneen Frazier Bowen at the 2005 National Educational Computing Conference to discuss her unique presentation "The Natives are Restless," a series of dramatic sketches dealing with the utilization of technology in educational settings. Bowen's sketches examined students' difficulties in relating school…

Online learning (eLearning) has become a global phenomenon as many organizations and educational institutions worldwide have entered the field in an attempt to enhance the students' experience of learning. While numerous studies have focused on the effectiveness and benefits of eLearning, few have focused on understanding and measuring the user…

The Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL), formerly the Center for Instructional Design at Brigham Young University (BYU), partners with faculty to help improve teaching and learning. The CTL currently supports a broad range of faculty projects to maintain and improve on-campus instruction. It has more than 35 full-time employees and…

This statewide study of teachers of intellectually gifted students examined teachers' attitudes toward information technology. Participants were 418 teachers of the intellectually gifted in a southeastern state who voluntarily responded to a survey about technology attitudes. Results indicated positive attitudes toward technology, with training in…

Online learning is growing in higher education contexts around the world, but very few research-based studies have addressed the cultural aspects of online teaching and learning. In this study, we focused on international students from Taiwan and examined their perspectives of taking a synchronous online course in the US. Specifically, we were…