Gives recommendations based on participant feedback for improving the way the Internet is integrated into teacher-education programs and social studies methods courses. Asserts that social studies professors must foresee the challenges (technical problems, fear, frustration, or gender bias) and overcome them so all preservice teachers have…

Looks at some key elements of teachers' knowledge and skill bases and considers how these might be supported in Web-based instruction. Describes the "micro-genres" that constitute the instructional events of the online class. Introduces a software package to demonstrate how these interactions may be facilitated in practice. (Author/AEF)

This study of 36 K-12 teachers focused on computer use for noninstructional activities and their perspectives on facilitating and impeding factors. Study revealed that computers were used 94% for preparing instructional materials and 58% for finding subject area information. Most common obstacle to computer use was not enough time to learn new…

Concept mapping provides a means for teachers and students to represent their understanding of an area of knowledge. Information from two primary schools suggests that it can be used as a means of evaluating a school's elementary technology program. Information about attitudes/perceptions of technology was constructed into a concept map format.…

As important as access to new media technology is how that technology will be used. Secondary school administrators must take seriously the need to provide a viable program in communications education to prepare students for the next century and to avoid the emergence of a deprived social class consisting of those who cannot use computers. (SM)

Describes navigation, evaluation, and comprehension skills that instructors should guide students into developing. Outlines a four-step process approach to encourage students to read Web site material for comprehension and discusses application of strategic skills. (AEF)

Applies the anthropological concepts of culture shock and ethnocentricity to problems of computer and nonprint literacy in an electronic library. The role of librarians as agents of socialization is discussed, and the concept of education as a lengthy, ongoing process is considered. (Contains 12 references.) (LRW)

Discusses four educational goals for short-term computer camps based on the experiences of a camp in which 37 African American middle and high school students used a university's computer lab for 1 week. Highlights include teaching specific content knowledge, developing student interests, instilling positive student attitudes, and exposing…

Explores noneconomic factors that enhance or discourage international adoption of the Internet. Cultural mores, religious convictions, literacy, gender traditions, class distinctions, and social perceptions all influence the global diffusion of the Internet and are significant to its long-range effects. (AEF)

In an interview with "Principal," U.S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley and NAESP Executive Director Vincent Ferrandino agreed that schools should become community centers. Principals' major challenges include welcoming and involving the community, envisioning improvements, building consensus, valuing teamwork, and pursuing…

Defines a "geek" as a person in love with technology, computers, and the Internet, and suggests ways that technology-training professionals can discover their "inner geek" to improve their ability to design appropriate learning and performance systems. Presents actions to take and examples for game playing; exploring; embracing technology;…

The Computer Literacy Assessment Tool (CLAT) (Hackbarth, 1997) was administered to third-grade classes over the course of one academic year, measuring factors that affected changes in students' computer literacy. Results presented here focus primarily on the impact of classroom computer access on computer vocabulary, and the extent to which…

Provides background information related to the use of computers in classrooms that have diverse populations including students with disabilities. Offers a rationale for examining structured approaches to teaching computer skills to young children. Describes one such structured approach. (TJQ)

Describes the development of a Web Certification Program at the University of Virginia. This program offers certificates at three levels: Web Basics, Web Designer, and Web Master. The paper focuses on: determination of criteria for awarding certificates; program status; program evaluation and program effectiveness; and future plans for the Web…

Provides empirical data on the extent to which English language learners around the world actually use computers. Results of a survey of takers of the Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL) throughout the world indicated that a high percentage had used computers. This high overall use is tempered by the variation found among regions and by…