The author provides seven criteria to determine if a piece of equipment or an instructional material is "truly an aid" to the teacher and offers as an example of an intelligently run audiovisual service an outline of the program at Bath. (LS)

Results of a study on the use of social studies materials as reported by students and teachers. (NI)

The importance of user needs and computer software is stressed in a series of questions designed to aid in the selection and evaluation of computer systems for use in schools. (JJD)

Examines the use of teletext and viewdata in education in the United Kingdom and, in particular, the British viewdata system Prestel. (Author/JJD)

This catalog, intended to enable business educators to furnish classrooms and laboratories for business and office education, lists appropriate equipment, office furniture, and specialty items. Each category identifies vendors' names and addresses and describes their product lines and price ranges. (SK)

Explores skills needed by staff in the automated office; skills needed by administrative support personnel; and skills needed by executives and managers. Also makes recommendations for updating classroom equipment. (CT)

Provides purchasing tips for programs on a tight budget. Topics include writing specifications for the merchandise needed, finding and developing sources (vendors), receiving and analyzing bids, writing purchase orders, and receiving merchandise. (CM)

Describes a technique for encoding both visual images and audio signals on a 12-inch long playing disc that could provide educators with a limitless structure of information. (FL)

The Annual Plant Planning and Purchasing Directory lists more than 1,700 companies that provide products and services to educational institutions, and has a list of Professional Consultants--architects and engineers experienced in school and college work. (Author/MLF)

Reviews new science equipment and products for the laboratory. Includes hand-held calculators, fiberglass fume hoods, motorized microtomy, disposable mouse cages, and electric timers. Describes 11 products total. Provides manufacturer name, address, and price. (MA)

An approach to make purchasing easier for administrators, and thus increase the chance of receiving requested equipment is presented. Three steps are involved: (1) Write a bid specifically stating exact details, (2) estimate the added cost for operation, and (3) include a revised course outline showing benefits of equipment to students. (TA)

Describes the features, equipment and operations of digital cameras and compares three different digital cameras for use in education. Price, technology requirements, features, transfer software, and accessories for the Kodak DC25, Olympus D-200L and Casio QV-100 are presented in a comparison table. (AEF)

Discusses the importance of sand and water play for young children. Provides a partial list of materials and equipment used to provide sensory experiences at sand and water tables. Offers a buying guide listing manufacturers of sand and water tables, product descriptions, and ordering information. (DR)

Draws from personal experiences in teaching Montessori classes to three- to six-year olds to discuss specific strategies and techniques for effectively organizing, rotating, utilizing, and storing instructional materials. (ETB)

This article presents the interactive whiteboard as a unique teaching and learning medium and explores the distinctive pedagogy that is emerging as its functionality continues to be exploited by increasing numbers of teachers. It draws on Kozma's studies of the characteristics of other learning media and how these define pedagogic opportunities to…