Educational technology should be a tool used for learning but should not become more important than the learning itself. Six criteria for the effective classroom use of technology include determining whether the technology offers an invitation to learn, decentralization of authority, flexibility, access to knowledge, time to explore and use…

Presents a series of questions to help rural school administrators assess their readiness to include distance learning as part of the instructional program. The questions address program need or purpose, school resources (human, facilities, and equipment), and selection of distance learning technology system. Lists brief explanations of common…

A discussion of current uses of technology in campus activities programming looks at what is meant by "new technology"; the range of uses of technology in this field; the role and impact of the interactive aspects of information technology; how technology affects how professionals educate, advise, and train students; and dealing with students who…

This article describes an online resource, TrackStar, that helps organize and annotate Web sites (more specifically, the addresses or URLs to the Web sites) into lessons, presentations, or instructional resources. Each "track" provides a user with a list of Web-based resources that have been located, organized, and summarized. Examples of uses…

The theme for this quarterly supplement is "Searching for Technology Funding" and contains eight articles. Among the topics are schools as community-based Internet service providers, teaching kids how to search the Internet, a review of instructional software, technology coaches, and two board members' experiences with cyberspace. (MLF)

Techno-babble is the use of fancy terms to make new products look cutting-edge. Discusses five terms-their meaning, and strengths and weaknesses. Technology-support staff should relate complicated technical terms in simplified but not patronizing words. (MLF)

This handbook was written for use with the Argonne National Laboratory's electronic bulletin board system (BBS) called NEWTON, which is designed to create an electronic network that will link scientists, teachers, and students with the many diversified resources of the Argonne National Laboratory. The link to Argonne will include such resources as…

Designed by educator-led development teams who view the computer as an enabling technology that encourages children to become active learners, this CD-ROM disk is intended for students in kindergarten through grade 6. The disk enables students to create interactive stories fueled by the power of their imaginations and create adventures set in an…

Many believe that technology offers the most benefit to students and teachers when it is integrated into the core curriculum rather than being taught as a separate discipline. This publication is intended to assist teachers in incorporating technology into learning activities in mathematics and science. Chapters emphasize issues concerning…

This book in intended to teach computer understanding in a concise, straightforward manner using techniques children like such as storytelling, games, and activities. The 38 stories are divided into three sections: (1) "Meeting the Computer" -- basic computer use and care; (2) "Hardware" -- basic hardware, keyboarding skills,…

This workbook offers tips for staff development planners who train teachers about technology. The first six sections are "Getting Started with Competencies and Context,""Looking at Learner Needs,""Taking School Technology Inventory,""Outlining Parameters for Program Design,""Selecting Resources and…

Computer-assisted instruction (CAI) is becoming more important to vocational education, since at least 2 million schools now have computers, and by the year 2000, 75 percent of jobs may require computer knowledge. A review of the literature about CAI in vocational education produced the following findings: (1) although CAI can be effective in…

This practitioner file is designed to provide information for adult, career, and vocational educators who have little or no experience using the Internet. Discussed first are the history of the Internet's development and its content and scope. Ways of obtaining an Internet connection are described. Next, annotated descriptions of eight sources of…

A kindergarten teacher implemented a practicum intervention designed to improve teachers' communication with parents of kindergarten children concerning curriculum and school activities. In particular, the intervention aimed to increase parental involvement in spite of the fact that parents were unable to spend time at the school. A computer and…

One of nine brief guides for special educators on using computer technology, this guide focuses on advances in electronic aids, computers, telecommunications, and videodiscs to assist students with hearing impairments. Electronic aids include hearing aids, telephone devices for the deaf, teletypes, closed captioning systems for television, and…