The purpose of this study is to investigate the use of an online discussion forum to support practicing elementary school teachers' professional development in mathematics. The forum is structured around teachers' sharing, discussing, and reflection upon the teaching of elementary mathematics. Third grade teachers (N=14) from three different…

Recently published surveys conducted by the Sloan Consortium show widespread support among academic leaders for the notion that learning outcomes from online higher education degree programs are equal to or exceed those of residential programs, and that those learning outcomes are expected to continue to improve relative to their fixed facility…

Educators should plug into cyberspace to receive high-quality information, make connections to other people's ideas, and get answers applying to their work and personal interests. The K-12 Admin Listserv responded to a survey the author posted saying that certain features discussed here (web browser, newsgroup, e-mail, listserv, and gopher) were…

An abbreviated version of a longer policy document on electronic commerce released by the Clinton Administration, this article examines principles and recommendations on tariffs, taxes, electronic payment systems, uniform commercial code for electronic commerce, intellectual property protection, privacy, security, telecommunications infrastructure…

Discussion of models for indexing and searching information resources on the Internet focuses on the results of a simple query on a number of existing search systems and on two proposed index metadata structures for indexing and supporting search and discovery: the Dublin Core Elements List and the Semantic Header. (52 references) (Author/LRW)

States that, although information technologies may foster new modes of teaching and learning, they also demand new forms of interaction among scientists, teachers, and technology/software developers for which there are few systemic incentives and a largely incomplete theoretical foundation. (Author/DKM)

Examines Internet metaphors in the titles of 100 articles published in 1995 and found in three indexing services. Analyzes criteria for assessing the usefulness of metaphors to determine the more appropriate metaphors that might successfully convey to the novice user the purposes and activities possible with the hyperlinked elements and functions…

The Internet offers educators a wealth of grant resources and information on securing funds for projects. The first step is finding a funding source whose goals match those of the desired project's. Certain Net search engines have excellent capabilities. Grantsweb has accessible, organized links to federal and nonfederal grants sources. Other…

Describes the development of "Online" magazine, considers the impact it has had on its target audience of online searchers, and discusses changes in the online information field during the last 20 years. Topics include growth of the Internet; price competition; quality of information; and user interfaces. (LRW)

Presents the first part of an interview with Vinton Cerf, senior vice president of data architecture for MCI Engineering, on the growth and future of the Internet. Topics include: pornography; commercialization; security; government role; content found on the Internet; and convergence of technologies. (DGM)

The Internet is fast becoming a preferred tool for marketing to and recruiting new students. This description of a fictional student's first experiences with the Internet in searching for an opportunity to spend junior year abroad demonstrates the power of the Internet in shaping student choices. (Author/PW)

Describes online misinformation: incomplete, out-of-date, biased information; pranks; contradictions; improperly translated data; software incompatibilities; unauthorized revisions; factual errors; and scholarly misconduct. Suggests online searchers should be skeptical, establish prior knowledge, distinguish between fact and opinion, evaluate…

Describes the Electronic Emissary Project, an Internet-based interpersonal resource coordinated from the University of Texas at Austin, which matches students and teachers via e-mail with subject experts from around the world. Presents sample projects, and discusses challenges, the role of the online facilitator, and guidelines for implementing…

Uses insights from medium theory to show how several issues arising from past communications revolutions apply to the potential impacts of cyberspace technology. Includes these issues: monopoly of knowledge and creation of information elites; threats to cultural stability and homogenization; and harnessing of epistemological strengths and…

Discusses the control of pornography on the Internet. Highlights include the Communications Decency Act (CDA); "Time" magazine's article on cyberporn and critiques of it; the unconstitutionality of the CDA under First Amendment protection of free speech; and non-legislative software solutions, including PICS (Platform for Internet…