Describes a multimedia approach to solving image retrieval problems. Presents the idea of a media agent, which can automatically collect semantic descriptions of multimedia data into a personal media database on behalf of a particular user whenever and wherever he/she accesses these multimedia data. Discusses implementation and applications of the…

Provides an overview of current image retrieval systems. Describes the architecture of the SOFM (Self Organizing Feature Maps) based image retrieval system, discussing the system architecture and features. Introduces the Kohonen model, and describes the implementation details of SOFM computation and its learning algorithm. Presents a test example…

E-Learning eliminates time and distance barriers, creating universal learning-on-demand opportunities. Cisco Systems has invested over $50 million in the world's largest e-learning laboratory. Starting with 64 academies in 7 U.S. states in 1997, the Networking Academy program now serves 140,000 students in over 5,800 sites in 96 countries. (MLH)

Six English-as-a-Second-or-Other-Language (ESOL) practitioners who are also Internet pioneers talk about their Internet work, share insights, and provide advice to teachers on creating online materials. (Author/VWL)

Presents three different scientific issues to students and uses debate as a way of gaining information. Involves information collection on the topic, team preparation, and debate between teams. Includes debate format and presentation guidelines, suggestions for debate questions, information on areas to explore when preparing to debate the question…

Describes two activities that involve thinking of slope as rate of change. Uses a calculator-based laboratory, graphing calculator, appropriate probes, and web sites to make the concepts of slope and y-intercept come alive for middle grade students. (ASK)

Describes an interactive internet exercise that enables students to engage in cooperative library and web research on a controversial topic in science, specifically the cloning of extinct lifeforms. Creates a dynamic learning environment in a large introductory geology course and demonstrates the importance of scientific literacy. (Author/SAH)

Addresses the use of the Internet for telecollaboration, or communicating and working with others in different locations, in the elementary social studies classroom. Focuses on a set of activity structures to help teachers design curriculum-based, telecollaborative activities. Provides examples of telecollaborative activities. (CMK)

Presents suggestions for how to promote a learning community in a distance education environment. These include: promote initial bonding; synchronous activity helps more than asynchronous; monitor and support continued interaction and participation; provide multiple means of communication; and encourage both work and social interaction, publicly…

Reviews information sources available on the Internet that relate to environmental issues. Topics include databases, subject specific resources, appropriate educational information, electronic journals, bulletin boards, CD-ROMs, bibliographies, government information, electronic newsletters, and listservs. (LRW)

Discusses new trends in the World Wide Web. Highlights include multimedia; digitized audio-visual files; compression technology; telephony; virtual reality modeling language (VRML); open architecture; and advantages of Java, an object-oriented programming language, including platform independence, distributed development, and pay-per-use software.…

Provides an overview of the development of cooperative library automation and connectivity in Idaho, including telecommunications capacity, library networks, the Internet, and the role of the state library. Information on six shared automation systems in Idaho is included. (LRW)

Explores when district courts supervising a desegregating school district should authorize virtually integrated classrooms. Discusses the Internet and how its communication abilities and resources are used in the classroom. Argues that using the Internet to create virtually integrated classrooms can help eliminate the effects of racial segregation…

Educators will be challenged to teach students to use the Internet as critical consumers. There are numerous issues, including equity (due to income, educational level, gender, urban-rural setting, and age differences), connectivity, staff training, curriculum integration, and evaluation, that have profound implications for sustaining democratic…

Results are reported from surveys and interviews with 22 rural teachers who participated in "Reach for the Sky," an initiative that links reform in math and science education with telecommunications use. Topics include benefits and frustrations of using the Internet, math/science resources found on the Internet, and the impact of…