Discusses research on the process of introducing telecommunication technology in K-12 classrooms. To ensure parent and teacher involvement in Internet-based collaborative learning projects, a participatory design approach is examined that allows teachers to monitor and influence project design. This approach is selected because of its…

Compares issues in the commercialization of public information through wide area networks in the United States and Europe. Policy and legal questions, the public's right to access information, government copyright issues, the potential for public-private-sector synergy, and the need to standardize formats and pricing are discussed. (Contains 45…

Reports on an electronic survey designed to document what academic library and computing services staff are doing to instruct users about the Internet and to determine whether they are working together or apart. The results suggest emerging service patterns, possible relationships, and ways to improve Internet training. (Contains nine references.)…

Widely accessible networked computing reduces important barriers to learning, gives students real-world tools for real-world problems, and broadens practical collegiality. The challenge is to ensure that members of the electronic community understand the legal and ethical boundaries they must respect. This is essentially an educational issue. (MSE)

Describes a project at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign that explored several models of teleapprenticeships to provide teacher education students with collaborative, constructivist learning models through the use of electronic networks, and to integrate instructional computer experiences within the teacher education process. (five…

Discusses the development of computing networks for elementary and secondary schools in Virginia and Texas. Highlights include establishing a statewide infrastructure; Internet access; distributed computing; instructional resources; the changing role of State Departments of Education; teacher training and support; and policy issues, including…

Provides illustrated examples of Mosaic pages of Internet-based information developed by elementary school students and teachers. Descriptions include how hypertext mark-up language (HTML) is used to create the pages and link them with Internet resources, and directions for using Mosaic to access other examples and additional information are…

Describes tools for technological forecasting, including expert opinion, leading indicators, and trend analysis. Discussion includes process of technology diffusion and the changes it creates, and draws implications for instruction and school administration as well as emerging computer and telecommunications applications in business. Estimates are…

Discusses the potential for linking large metropolitan public libraries to international interlibrary loan networks. Issues involved in international networking, including funding, standards, network connectivity, and protectionism, are discussed. Examples of libraries capable of participating and brief descriptions of their collections are given.…

Explores obstacles to Internet usage, presents what is known about them, and considers strategies for avoiding or ameliorating their effects. Obstacles discussed include unrealistic expectations; lack of understanding of the effects of organizational culture on networking; lack of awareness of social effects of networking technologies; and lack of…

Describes the Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC) and the inclusion of abstracting and indexing industry databases in OPACs. Topics addressed include the implications of including abstracting and indexing tape and CD-ROM products in OPACs; the need for standards allowing library systems to communicate with dissimilar CD-ROM products; and computer,…

Discusses the planning that is needed to effectively network school computers. Topics addressed include advantages of networking, including electronic mail, cost effectiveness, and time savings; use by students and teachers; wiring systems; network configurations; and use by library/media centers. (LRW)

The federal Escrowed Encryption Standard (EES) has been opposed by civil liberties advocates and the computer industry. The author argues that the standard does not threaten privacy as long as its use remains voluntary, alternative forms of encryption are allowed, and the power of government to intercept transmission is kept in check. (20…

Argues that training is a critical success factor for Internet implementation in organizations, both in teaching Internet skills and in enabling trainees to participate in planning how the Internet could transform the organization. Conceptual areas relevant to the development of training and the associated theoretical perspectives are suggested.…

Describes a project designed to help high school language students learn about French-speaking countries that uses HyperCard and telecommunications capabilities and can be adapted to other related curriculum areas. Highlights include cooperative group work using the Internet and creating HyperCard stacks. (three references.) (LRW)