Little research has been conducted on how students work when they are required to plan, build and evaluate artefacts in technology rich learning environments such as those supported by tools including flow charts, "Labview" programming and Lego construction. In this study, activity theory was used as an analytic tool to examine the social…

The theme of the 38th meeting of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education (PME 38) and the 36th meeting of the North American Chapter of the Psychology of Mathematics Education (PME-NA 36) was "Mathematics Education at the Edge." Academically, the theme provides opportunities to highlight and examine…

Over the past decade the software products available for solid modeling, dynamic, stress, thermal, and flow analysis, and computer-aiding manufacturing (CAM) have become more powerful, affordable, and easier to use. At the same time it has become increasingly important for students to gain concurrent engineering design and systems integration…

The new mechanism, PUSS, enables experience of any complex environment to be accumulated in a predictive model. PURR-PUSS is a teachable robot system based on the new mechanism. Cumulative learning is demonstrated by a detailed example. (Author)

The author examines the impact of "high-tech" industries on labor markets, the division of labor and the organization of work, and the policy options open to societies for dealing with the effects. (CT)

Describes new technology involving the teaching of robotics in high schools. Provides information on how to develop robotics programs. Includes discussion of the uses of slow-scan television, satellite beams, and the possibilities of enhancement by linking new technologies. (MD)

Indicates that there is a danger that high tech will be a fad for a few years with too much money and attention spent on these programs and not enough on traditional vocational and technical programs. (JOW)

This reprint from "Designing the User Interface: Strategies for Effective Human-Computer Interaction" (Shneiderman) discusses the impact of computers on individuals and society. Highlights include individual opportunities for learning, entertainment, and cooperation through networking; problems with the use of computer systems; and the…

Children who interacted with a robot that spoke reciprocally to them uttered more speech that maintained the topic of conversation, and engaged in more verbally mediated social play than children who interacted with a randomly speaking robot. Gender differences in children's looking at their mother in the room were observed. (BC)

Discusses the use of games and toys in teaching fractions, independent thinking, and organizational skills to elementary students. Explains the basis of the method in a constructivist approach. (JOW)

This learning activity describes how a robot moves and the systems that power robots. Provides detailed information about XBOT, which uses modified servomotors to power its wheels. (JOW)

A fun design challenge that can be used in the classroom and across the grades is presented in this article. No special tools, hardware, or supplies are needed, only imagination and teamwork. It is a fun exercise that illustrates technology education principles. This design challenge is a mirror on the world, very similar to how projects are…

In this article, the author describes how his students competed in the Annual Remote-Operated Underwater Vehicle (ROV) Competition, sponsored by the Marine Advanced Technology Education Center of Monterey, California, in 2003. He describes how the Lyndhurst High School robotics team, which was composed of his students, learned a lot and had a…

The convergence of several technological systems (especially nanotechnology, biotechnology, information technology, and robotics) has now been adopted as a strategic goal by several countries, most notably the United States and those of the European Union. The anticipated benefits and related fears of competitive disadvantage have brought together…

In this article, the author looks to the past for trends in hardware, software, networking, and education and attempt to extrapolate where they are going and what their broad implications might be. However, there are many different ways that trends can be interpreted, and it is easy to pick trends that support one's thesis and ignore ones that…