In 1998, the College of the Canyon's (California) Office of Institutional Development distributed a questionnaire to ascertain the technology training needs of campus personnel. The survey instrument included 49 forced-choice and 2 open-ended questions. Seventy-five staff members and 124 faculty returned the questionnaires. The responses are…

In spring 2001, the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges passed a resolution whose aim is to narrow the digital divide among California community college students. The digital divide is defined as the disparity between those who have access to technology and those who do not. The resolution suggests two questions: (1) How has…

These guidelines are designed to help anyone considering the use of open and distance learning for teachers. They answer eight major questions and identify options available to planners and strategies for choosing them. Eight sections include: (1) "What is Wrong With Teacher Education?" (e.g., what it consists of and who the teachers are); (2) "Is…

A Collaborative Learning Environment (CLE) for second year Physiology students, involving timetabled tutorials, a student-friendly learning space, and a variety of computer-based and traditional resources has been previously shown to impact positively on student learning. In the sessions described in this paper, students used a semester-long group…

This paper discusses the online Personal Learning Planner (PLP) project underway at the National Institute for Community Innovations (NICI) and presents some of the details of the theory and thinking that is guiding its development. The World Wide Web-based software is part of work by NICI to develop tools for enhancing preservice teacher…

The preparation of qualified teachers with knowledge and skills in the areas of English as a Second Language (ESL) and technology is an important issue in urban educational reform. This paper addresses components that one teacher preparation program is implementing in training multicultural, urban public school teachers in this critical shortage…

Often funding agencies and donor governments face the question of whether should they support information and communication (ICT) technologies activities in their development projects. Should the money be invested in computers and communication devices or will it be better spent on food, shelter, health, and education? The choice need not be…

This brief paper considers ways in which people with sensory impairments can benefit from the assistive technology available with computers. Assistive technology practitioners are urged not to focus on the disability, but on the individual's abilities and the tasks to be performed. Explanations of the major sensory disability areas precedes…

This document contains the proceedings of the 2002 Annual International Conference of the Association for the Education of Teachers in Science which was held in Charlotte, North Carolina, January 10-13, 2002. Papers include: (1) "Teaching Science Methods Courses with Web-Enhanced Activities" (Alec M. Bodzin); (2) "How Is Your Lawnmower Working?…

The distinctions between types of open and distance learning broadly equate to the concept of learning at a time, place, and pace that best suits the learner. Distance learning refers to geography, whereas open learning refers to time. Flexible learning is a generic term referring either to geography or time. Combining these distinctions allows…

Development of online courses requires the use of appropriate educational philosophies that discourage rote learning and passive transfer of information from teacher to learner. This paper reports on the development, use and evaluation of two second year Biology online software packages used by students in constructivist environments. The courses…

This paper discusses comparisons of student comments and analysis of comments from a face-to-face course with Web-enhancements, a video-based, hybrid course with Web-enhancements and a Web-based course. In order to provide student problem-solving participants both individual and personal experiences (and attitudes) concerning the use of course…

The International Working Group on Education (IWGE) met in Lisbon, Portugal, in November 2001. Participants came from 26 institutions representing 10 international agencies or institutions, 4 foundations, and 12 bilateral agencies. This publication is a summary of the proceedings of that meeting. It begins with opening and welcoming keynote…

Through the Preparing Tomorrow's Teachers to Use Technology (PT3) project, online distance courses in College of Education at New Mexico State University (NMSU) have become an essential component of the Teacher Education Program. Pre-service teachers have been engaged in the process of learning with and about technology. The main purpose of this…

This document presents the State of Iowa Board of Regents fiscal year (FY) 2001 budget requests and provides information about the Board and its institutions. An introductory section 1 offers an overview of the Board of Regents' functions, including a mission state and governance process, and explains FY 2000 appropriation reductions and FY 2001…