The World Wide Web Consortium--an organization based at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) that has 275 corporate members and holds closed meetings--is the closest thing the Web has to a central authority; however, almost nobody outside the telecommunications industry understands what the consortium is. Analyzes the role this body may…

Suggests teachers be involved in educational school facility planning efforts in order to fulfill educational program needs. The creation or vision process for facilities planning includes the program description, educational program overview, imagining the future, storyboarding, a Gap Analysis to identify program needs, and a force field analysis…

Succinctly summarizes considerations that should be taken into account when choosing a dissertation topic. These include resonance with organizational culture, contribution to the discipline, assistance in a job search, and tractability. Tractability (the ability to produce a finished product) combines the components of scope, clarity of problem,…

Schools should anticipate unavoidable problems when implementing a technology plan, project, or program. Technology programs should be built around curricular needs, not gurus. Programs are costly, software remains problematic, and (large) size matters. Blending laptops and desktops is feasible. Faculty consensus helps, and upgrades are…

Describes plans and efforts to shape speech-interactive computer-assisted language-learning programs. Current proficiency guidelines provide a practical framework for this development. (Author/VWL)

Notes that gender equity is important in elementary and secondary schools and can have long-term effects on students. Reviews research on the topic and presents guidelines for early-childhood classrooms. Observes that gender-equitable classrooms establish a set of shared goals achieved through a combination of curriculum and teacher behavior. (LBT)

Discusses the integration of multimedia into the classroom and suggests group work for high school multimedia projects to encourage students to learn how to work with others and to develop leadership skills, organizational skills, and basic mentoring skills. Provides guidelines for groups. (LRW)

The current standards movement cannot succeed unless a school's culture is committed to helping all students achieve excellence. Principals must build a schoolwide culture of quality focused on learning projects. Teachers should design projects backwards, using standards and assessment rubrics based on actual student products and performances.…

Discusses how to enable library staff and patrons with disabilities to use the resources of the Internet, including access to the computers themselves as well as access to the electronic resources and tools that make up the Internet. Topics include universal design; adaptive technology; and guidelines for accessible Web pages. (LRW)

Intelligence-friendly classrooms require a teaching/learning process governed by extant knowledge and theories about developing human beings' intellectual potential. Guidelines are based on setting a safe emotional climate, creating a rich learning environment, teaching the mind-tools and skills of life, developing learners' skillfulness,…

Explores issues related to the design of collaborative-learning environments mediated by computer conferencing from the perspective of challenges faced in the sociocultural context of the Indian sub-continent. Examines the impact of online features on social cohesiveness, group dynamics, interaction, communication anxiety, and participation.…

Considers embedded assessment within choral rehearsals, describing five assessment tools for use within the regular activities of choral ensembles. Discusses the benefits of embedded assessment. Provides ten tips for helping teachers successfully embed assessments. Includes sidebars for the five assessments and a bibliography. (CMK)

Researchers say the best way to prevent suicide is to find and treat kids with depression and substance-abuse problems. Schools should also develop a suicide-prevention policy, make curriculum decisions wisely, train staff as detectives, notify parents, make sure affected children get help, and attend to survivors. (Contains 13 references.) (MLH)

This commentary reacts to an article that presented an agenda for educational change to encourage early childhood inclusion. It calls for a leadership agenda for the nation, agreement about inclusion as a feasible program model, development and dissemination of effective practices and evidence-based guidelines, family involvement, and increased…

Successful development and implementation of outcome-based education requires long-range planning and ongoing commitment from all planning partners. District-level planning is essential. A well-designed strategic plan embraces OBE philosophies, premises, and principles and should consist of a district philosophy, vision, and mission and a set of…