After providing an overview of Internet, this Digest outlines information and services that Internet can make available. Specific focus is on the following: (1) electronic mail; (2) remote access to library and other databases; (3) subscription to lists and other electronic fora; (4) subscription to electronic journals; and (5) file transfer. A…

The interpretation of information and the generation of knowledge is dependent on the existing metaphorical conceptual frameworks or mental models of the learner. Metaphorical mental models are both a method of representing and a way of organizing knowledge, and summarize an individual's beliefs about a system. Since the particular metaphors…

Digital reference services (also known as "AskA" services, as in "Ask-an-Expert") provide subject expertise and information referral over the Internet to their users. This ERIC Digest provides an overview of the growing digital reference movement and its implications on sponsoring organizations, and examines current practices…

This paper suggests activities for school administrators to learn basic technology tools. Step-by-step instructions are provided for browsing and using the Internet, organizing favorite World Wide Web sites, and organizing Internet bookmarks. Interesting job search, legal, and professional organization Web sites for administrators are listed. A…

Java is an object-oriented programming language of the Internet. It's popularity lies in its ability to create interactive Web sites across platforms. The most common Java programs are applications and applets, which adhere to a set of conventions that lets them run within a Java-compatible browser. Java is becoming an essential subject matter and…

The perception and acceptance of the Internet as a personal communication channel, and the functional characteristics of the Internet, provide a new means for geographically separated friends and family members to communicate with one another. This paper presents a theoretical framework for the study of family communication and electronic mail. A…

Although there are many content-rich resource sites for elementary and middle school students on the World Wide Web, finding such sites can often be difficult. This ERIC Digest describes K-8 curriculum related Web sites that will be of interest to students, teachers, parents, and librarians. The following types of sites are listed: collections of…

This paper discusses the use of the Internet to enhance test selection, orientation, administration, and scoring. It begins with a review of potential Internet applications in these test areas. Also addressed are difficulties that may be encountered by counselors who use the Internet for testing and issues associated with using the Internet to…

Electronic journals in scholarly or professional fields provide publishers and readers an opportunity for wider dissemination of scientific and other knowledge than was previously possible through print publications. Besides this overriding benefit, electronic journals can incorporate features that improve on or go beyond the features that have…

The purpose of this congressional hearing was to determine how libraries fit into the emerging national information infrastructure (NII). Testimony and prepared statements include those from Howard F. McGinn, Director, Emporia Public Library, Emporia, Kansas; James H. Billington, Librarian of Congress, Library of Congress, Washington D.C.,…

In this article I argue that charging students for Internet access is both destructive of fundamental objectives of the educational process and is unnecessary as a mechanism for solving the public goods problems that are typical of Internet provisioning.

The Association for Educational Communications and Technology defines Instructional Technology as the "theory and practice of design, development, utilization, management, and evaluation of processes and resources for learning" (Seels & Richley, 1994). From the above definition, it can be seen that Instructional Technology can be…

Professional education is increasingly facing accessibility challenges with the emergence of webbased learning. This paper summarizes related U.S. legislation, standards, guidelines, and validation tools to make web-based learning accessible for all potential learners. We also present lessons learned during the implementation of web accessibility…

Many big-city school systems nationwide are modernizing, expediting, and decentralizing the ways in which teachers are recruited, hired, and placed in schools, as well as offering a range of new incentives to attract and retain teachers. Districts are rapidly adopting new employment processing technologies, notably automated applicant-tracking…

This report is a followup to an initiative to establish a central website to collect data from States on the National School Lunch and the School Breakfast Programs. A central website could be used by researchers and program administrators to compare and analyze data across State and local areas for participation trends in local school district…