Reports on research that investigated use of touchscreens by children in early childhood and junior primary settings by introducing touchscreens in five classrooms in Melbourne, Australia. Five themes were identified, relating to developmental issues, input device performance, technical issues, individual differences in children's use of…

Proposes that technology planning is a key component in efforts to help schools realize the intended beliefs of learning technologies. Discusses four characteristics of successful planning for technology and the three major varieties of technology plans. Concludes that the problem with technology in schools begins with poor planning. (AEF)

Discusses the online learning situation within the context of Massey University (New Zealand). Highlights some of the information technology-based research developments and projects embarked upon by the University, and discusses how online learning environments are gradually adopted by students and faculty. (AEF)

Provides information gathered from a survey of faculty and administrators on attitudes toward technology. Discusses faculty stress and faculty adaptation to technology. Notes strong majorities agree that graduates need to learn the latest technologies, and that journalism faculty need to be able to teach them. Concludes that professors are feeling…

Describes themes found in research regarding the digital divide from the perspective of school technology integration for children, including frequency of use, differences in students' educational technology experiences, and teacher professional development. Discusses standards-based curriculum and the implementation of technology standards.…

Relates one administrator's experiences integrating computer capability into routine school office work by describing a typical day, explaining which tasks were best handled on the computer and how they changed because of it. Found that elementary students could do some traditional office tasks on the computer as part of their school community…

A good technology plan for a school district recognizes that implementing technology is an ongoing process, not a one-time matter. A number of experts answer questions concerning technology planning and purchasing. Technology in a solid long-term plan is described as adaptable, compatible, reliable, flexible, upgradable, nonproprietary, open, and…

Outlines the designing of a new classroom building to promote the use of technology in instruction at the University of Central Florida. Highlights include involvement with faculty, students, and architects; focus-group meetings; use of TeamNet, a computer program for collecting participant input; and an outline of physical, support, and…

Discusses knowledge gained from The Computer Discovery Project in Two Cultures, a series of seminars focused on integrating computers into a constructivist early childhood curriculum. Topics discussed include (1) building a foundation for innovation; (2) representing learning in multiple ways; (3) creating a multimedia vision; and (4)…

Describes wNetSchool, a professional Web service developed by television station WNET (New York City) that is available without charge to elementary and secondary school teachers. It includes standards-based lesson plans and classroom activities, a multimedia primer, online mentors, and links to model schools where the Internet is used effectively…

Discusses the integration of technology into elementary and secondary school classrooms based on experiences at the Jerome Joint School District (Idaho). Topics include having the curriculum drive technology use, student motivation, student computer literacy, relating technology skills to content areas and classroom assignments, and incorporating…

Describes the University of South Florida's Virtual Instructional Team for the Advancement of Learning, a program that combines the expertise of existing campus resources with the necessary services and support for faculty interested in technology-enhanced instruction. The program is a consortium of divergent academic units working together to…

Examines the effective use of computers in an undergraduate classroom based on the needs and desires of multiple-interest groups: students, instructors, support staff, administrators, software developers, publishers, and faculty colleagues. Suggests that the successful integration of technology will meet the needs of each group. (Author/LRW)

Discussion of the development of distance education in Switzerland focuses on a history of the Swiss Virtual Campus and an explanation of the role of the Educational Technologies Unit of the University of Geneva (TECFA). Topics include the integration of information technologies, teacher training, and the management of metadata. Contains 35…

Discusses the E-Rate, a program from the Telecommunications Act of 1996 that offers a discounted rate to schools and libraries wanting to connect to the Internet. Topics include changes in school district planning practices; the effects of politics, administrative priorities, and community concerns; and technology planning and integration. (LRW)