This executive summary of a research synthesis of information about assistive technology (AT) for school children with disabilities focuses on device characteristics as quality indicators of AT for manufacturers, clinicians, and consumers. It also provides an overview of AT use in the schools and how this use is determined or affected by the…

The purposes of this paper are to: share insights into the development of online collaborative learning experiments; discuss the role of instructional systems design (ISD); and present examples of design components within an ISD-based framework. The model presented explains the people, processes, and products that are involved in creating online…

This guide contains 29 learning modules intended for use by technology teachers and students in grade 8. Each module includes a student laboratory activity and instructor's resource sheet. Each student activity includes the following: activity topic and overview, challenge statement, objectives, vocabulary/concepts reinforced, equipment/supplies,…

This teacher package for grades 7-12 takes a broad approach in preparing students for earthquakes. "Hands-on/minds-on", inquiry-driven activities are balanced by library research and visits with disaster planning officials. Emphasis is placed on cooperative learning and the constructivist approach to teaching. Students not only study the…

This publication, a supplement to the "North Carolina Public School Facilities Guidelines," is intended as a resource to assist design professionals in planning facilities that meet the evolving needs of public schools in North Carolina. The publication specifically describes early childhood education programs and the facilities that…

In 1987, a project was initiated in Thailand to develop a prototype to be used as a standard design for the construction of rural secondary schools in all areas of the country. The project had three objectives: (1) to derive architectural designs for classroom and auxiliary buildings that could be constructed within available budgets and would be…

This guide, a collection of 14 articles by experts in the field, highlights the key features related to the planning and construction of educational facilities. The guide is to be used as a tool in the planning, design, remodeling, and construction of educational facilities. The focus is on practice rather than theory. The book starts by dealing…

This paper examines the search and selection strategies of teachers when retrieving information on computer assisted learning programs from an online database. A literature review covers cognitive factors in human computer interactions, database query and manipulation, cognitive style, and information searching. Several experiments are reported…

This guide addresses the planning and architectural design of play/learning environments for special needs children. The exceptional children discussed include those with most types of mild to severe handicaps and developmental disabilities. Specifically excluded from consideration are health impairments, severe psycho-emotional difficulties such…

This report presents eight papers prepared for a workshop held in June 1980, which was planned to exchange ideas and experiences about, and arrive at a better understanding of, the technological issues that have an impact on videotex systems and their use. Papers emphasize alternative architectures for present and future videotex systems; database…

School design is influenced by four major factors: the education program, the community site, education technology, and building technology. Schools of the future are discussed in relation to the factors affecting school design. It is probable that future schools will be involved in a broader spectrum of programs and will serve a more diverse…

This resource presents the functional effects of chronic disabilities in order to aid those persons who must plan environments usable by persons with disabilities. The guide does not concern architectural accessibility per se, but rather discusses designing the worksite to be usable by a disabled person. In the guide, drawings are provided for…

This paper, focusing on young children's need for privacy, describes a study conducted to determine the manner in which children in day care centers resolve the problem of reduced space and time for privacy. A pilot study revealed that children displayed three privacy seeking behaviors: (1) verbal and nonverbal territorial behavior (use or defense…

Some of the qualities and quantities that must be juggled to produce good lighting for educational facilities are analyzed with photographs, tables, and drawings. The three categories of lamps used for school lighting (incandescent, fluorescent, and high intensity discharge) are described; a lamp selection guide gives the design characteristics of…

This booklet examines the role and outlines the activities of Australian libraries in meeting the educational, cultural, recreational, and information needs of the physically, sensorily, and mentally disabled. The origins of library services for the handicapped in Australia are discussed, existing services are reviewed, the library needs of…