In this educational era of increasing emphasis on student performance, there is a definite shortage of high-interest resources through which teachers can effectively address the ten standards identified by the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS). Teachers need ideas for simple, low-cost activities, which they can do with their students…

This study examines the usefulness of a networked portfolio assessment system for cooperative learning. The system is with instructional methods that expresses ideas via written report and oral presentation, accumulated dialogues through inquiries between peers, critical thinking via peer-assessment and self-assessment, and knowledge construction…

This report analyzes data from an April 2002 survey of Colorado adult and young adult (high school age or older) public library patrons. Findings indicated that: technology in public libraries spans all demographics and fulfills a highly demanded patron need; technology have-nots are not limited to the poor or under-educated; and library patrons…

This document presents statistics and input-output measures for K-12 school libraries in Colorado for 2002. Data are presented by type and size of school, i.e., high schools (six categories ranging from 2,000 and over to under 300), junior high/middle schools (five categories ranging from 1,000-1,999 to under 300), elementary schools (four…

A study focused on identifying what resources social studies teachers (n=120) were using in their classrooms for the benefit of their students as well as identifying experiential learning resources on the Internet, in software programs, and in central Virginia. Studies were reviewed to determine the effects of experiential learning on students.…

This brief identifies advantages and challenges to using video-based distance education for adult English language learners (ELLs), describing implementation alternatives and suggesting practical implementation strategies. Advantages include multiple mentoring opportunities and the ability to reach more learners. Challenges include identifying…

This document contains news and information about school improvement in the United States. It is a biweekly newsletter designed expressly for parents and families. This issue highlights President Bush's new education plan, which includes improving early education, improving K-12 education, rewarding high-quality teachers, increasing opportunities…

This paper describes two Internet-based French language courses that help students acquire fluency in a nontraditional format. The Annenberg/CPB Project's "French in Action Online" was originally offered as a free online adjunct to a television course. The Coastline Community College's French 186AB French Topics Online is a stand-alone…

This report provides information on Americans' connectivity to the Internet, broadband services, and computers. Findings are based on the September 2001 U.S. Census Bureau's Current Population Survey--a survey of approximately 57,000 households and more than 137,000 individuals across the United States. The report shows the rapidly growing use of…

Today's students face a barrage of competing texts in many different forms and media, and it is now up to teachers to help students determine not only "what" should be read but "how" it should be read. This book addresses this issue. The book explores the idea of "textual intelligence"; offers both practical and…

This document presents the proceedings of a Regional Academic Library Symposium, "Brick and Click Libraries." Contributors are professionals from colleges and universities in the states of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska. Papers include: "Library Web Site Redesign and Usability Testing" (Michelle Beattie and Susan Sykes Berry); "The…

This newsletter is designed to be of help to the English as a second language community. This volume includes the following articles and features: "Stress: Helping Refugees Cope"; "BEST Gets Better"; "Integrating English Literacy and Civics"; "Summit Stirs Many Into Action"; "TESOL-AEIS on the Internet"; "Civics for Adult Immigrants"; "BEST Gets…

This book shows how faculty can help students develop skills in research, problem solving, critical thinking, and knowledge management by using Web-based collaboration tools. This innovative approach to teaching and learning emphasizes the use of virtual spaces, "knowledge rooms," where students "gather" to collaborate. The chapters are: (1)…

This document contains the following papers on telecommunications systems and services from the SITE (Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education) 2001 Conference: (1) "Developing and Nurturing a Dynamic On-Line Learning Community" (Kathleen Bacer); (2) "A Lecture Generator in the Web" (Jorge Kinoshita); (3)…

The purpose of this study was to determine the proficiency level of teachers at South Plainfield High School (South Plainfield, New Jersey) in the use of word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, and database software. A survey was conducted to evaluate the level of the teachers' personal technological background, staff centered technology,…