Explains the E-rate as discounts provided by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that are available to schools, libraries, and rural health care providers on telecommunications services. Lists E-rate resources including Web sites, FCC and Department of Education sites, and Listserv discussion groups. (LRW)

Discusses the construct of learning community for educators and examines issues concerning the theory and practice of constructing learning communities using communication technologies (virtual learning communities). Topics include possible future scenarios and implications for rural educators and distance education. (Author/LRW)

Public policy rhetoric depicts information/communications technologies as a means of transforming lifelong education, freeing individual learners, broadening social inclusion, and improving competitiveness. However, concerns about social exclusion are predominantly economic, and increasing participation does not mean the same thing as widening…

Discusses the paucity of serious academic research focusing on public broadcasting in the United States and Western Europe, the likely reasons for this, as well as the need to encourage more research. Details scholarly publishing in the 1990s in the field of public broadcasting. (JKP)

Offers guidelines to help colleges and universities ensure a course of telecommunications network growth and renewal, provide continuous network upgrades, and maintain a position of flexibility. Discusses focuses on principles that guide network planning and design; how to apply principles to standard building blocks and network design; voice,…

Explores the steps schools and colleges can do to implement the types of technology needed to provide the best programs that attract students. Surveying underground utility structures for routing telecommunications, building connectivity between campus buildings, and using a system with widespread telecommunications options are discussed. (GR)

Discusses creating a comprehensive and flexible master plan for designing a forward-looking telecommunications infrastructure on campus. Areas where a campus can take creative advantage of new technology are highlighted. (GR)

Recommends communication technologies to extend interaction with teachers and parents. Reports that centers have embraced technology, and identifies three benefits of phone and three of video technologies. Discusses the influence of the Internet on the early childhood care centers. Notes possible problems, but observes that judicious use enhances…

Discusses the principles and components of the University of Southern California's "smart building": the Marshall School of Business. The building's design, learning environment, use of high-tech learning tools, audio/video teleconferencing, and more than 1,100 data/power hookups, making it the most technologically advanced in the…

Describes the use of wireless technology for library bibliographic instruction at the Milwaukee Area Technical College. Highlights include a wireless mobile cart that holds laptop computers; faculty support; future plans; and recommendations, including investigating technology infrastructure and marketing. (LRW)

Explores potential online media service access in light of motivational factors, existing media use level, home communication technology infrastructure and demographic attributes. Findings indicate perceived gratification expectation dimensions were strong predictors of likely online media service use. (Contains 64 references.) (AEF)

Describes the electronic transfer of student records, notably the use of a Web-server named CHARLOTTE sponsored by the National Forum on Education Statistics and an Electronic Data Exchange system named SPEEDE/ExPRESS. (PKP)

Discusses partnerships between public broadcasting organizations and educational institutions. Highlights include examples of partnerships currently underway; the third generation of the World Wide Web which includes broadband delivery that is necessary for integrating media; and public television today, including interactive television. (LRW)

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers recently approved a high-speed wireless standard that enables devices from different manufacturers to communicate through a common backbone, making wireless local area networks more feasible in schools. Schools can now use wireless access points and network cards to provide flexible…

Excitement about handhelds must be tempered by an understanding of what is typically required when any new technology is introduced into classrooms. We know, for example, that to succeed, handheld initiatives will need clear educational objectives and a logical theory of action that guides implementation. We can anticipate that teachers will need…