Describes the use of the Florida Information Resource Network (FIRN) in Florida public schools. Highlights include electronic mail exchanges; online conferences; remote research; classroom resources; training initiatives for teachers to learn about telecommunications; access to other systems and databases; and inservice, hands-on teacher training.…

Discusses Oregon library automation projects, including Internet connectivity and a statewide multitype library network; a bibliographic information system with college and university libraries, including a union catalog; a Portland Area Library System that connects multitype libraries; and library staff training for the Internet. (LRW)

Discusses a typology that can be used to guide educators in selection of cyberspace tools to accomplish specific tasks. The typology consists of four main divisions of properties: number of people communicating; real-time communications; permanency of communications; and automatic delivery to audience. These four divisions result in 16 possible…

Presents findings from a three-year qualitative study of the implementation of networked technology in a K-12 cluster of four schools. Findings showed that truly networked schools possess a unique virtual geography requiring substantive reorganization across schools' practices, culture and structure. (AEF)

Addresses the use of technology to enhance teaching and learning in a classroom environment. Discusses classroom setups, including networks and Internet connections; utilizing resources, including lecture notes, software demonstrations, and simulations; the use of laptop computers; and examples of technology use where students don't have access to…

Focuses on the use of one networked technology, synchronous computer-mediated interaction, in the second-language (L2) classroom. The scope is intentionally limited to research concerned with evaluating the potential benefits of computer-assisted classroom discussion (CACD) in terms of L2 acquisition theory. Findings stemming from the existing…

Describes developments in British education in distance learning technologies. Highlights include networking the rural areas; communication, community, and paradigm shifts; digital compression techniques and telematics; Web-based material delivered over the Internet; system flexibility; social support; learning support; videoconferencing; and…

Suggests that it is vital that all library and information science (LIS) students be trained to think and work in a virtual networked environment by taking a class in a Web-based classroom. Discusses components of a virtual classroom and describes a model Web-based class at San Jose State University. (Author/LRW)

Describes tele-immersion, a new medium for human interaction enabled by digital technologies. It combines the display and interaction techniques of virtual reality with new vision technologies that transcend the traditional limitations of a camera. Tele-immersion stations observe people as moving sculptures without favoring a single point of view.…

Describes how the director of information systems for the computing and communications department and a team of software developers embarked on the task of creating and refining portal technology for a broad community of users with various relationships to the University of Washington. Discusses focus on individual needs; authentication, the…

"Chronicle of Higher Education" presents an abundant source of news and information for college and university faculty members and administrators. This May 21, 2004 issue of "Chronicle of Higher Education" includes the following articles: (1) "In New York, Unaccompanied" (Fogg, Piper); (2) "Why They Pirate: Study says Students aren't in it for the…

An eleven country internal evaluation of the Cisco Networking Academy program across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, revealed a number of issues related to the globalization of e-learning. The Academy program is a 280-hour web-based course that teaches students to install, maintain and troubleshoot computer networks. It was developed in the US…

Preparation for employment in the telecommunications area is not a major emphasis in most information system (IS) programs. The curricula of most programs include only one or two courses related to telecommunications. As a result, most do not provide much preparation for employment in this area. There may be, however, increasing employment…

FODEM (FOrmative DEvelopment Method) is a design method for developing digital learning environments for widely dispersed learning communities. These are communities in which the geographical distribution and density of learners is low when compared to the kind of learning communities in which there is a high distribution and density of learners…

In most middle- and upper-income homes across the United States, children, youth, and their families have access to the world's information-technology resources at their fingertips, while in low-income communities, access to technology and the opportunities it provides are often limited to brief periods of computer use and Internet access at…