This article presents findings from an investigation of the overall effectiveness of Michigan's Freedom to Learn (FTL) One-to-One initiative. The major goal of the FTL initiative was to help students to gain 21st century knowledge and skills while increasing their learning and achievement through the integration of over 20,000 laptop computers…

As Internet technology encroached on the public school classroom about a decade ago, Kim Ross, superintendent of the Houston School District in Houston, Minnesota, saw an opportunity. At first, he and his administrative team simply wanted to offer students in the district of 1,300 access to more classes via the web than what a district that size…

Describes a community college's process of choosing good educational software. Elements include the college's own software catalog, statewide vocational curriculum laboratory, catalogs from established publishers, and the state software clearinghouse. The author then discusses software reviews and the questions that are asked concerning preview…

Discusses the evolution of the Minnesota Educational Computing Consortium (MECC), an organization which undertakes the supportive service of encouraging instructional computing activity in schools and colleges throughout the state. MECC's role in developing a statewide time-sharing network and in supporting large scale acquisition of…

Reports are given on the use of computers in elementary and secondary schools in five states. An analysis of the reports discusses various educational trends and implications evolving from computer use, including misapplied technology and the proper amount of learning and teaching via computers. (CJ)

Discusses UtahLINK, the most widely connected state online education system in the United States, and SiteFIre, a server-resident software package that speeds up Web access and stores Web-site data directly in user-designated folders. Describes the instructional possibilities and benefits of using UtahLINK and SiteFire. (AEF)

This article describes the use of computer-assisted and computer-managed instruction in self-contained and departmentalized classrooms in Arkansas elementary and secondary schools since 1983, when the state enacted provisions for the use of computers to enhance previously mandated improvements in basic skills instruction. (PGD)

Outlines processes by which the Florida Department of Education, as a result of official state policy, provides services to computer-using educators in public schools in such areas as courseware selection and evaluation, distribution of computing materials, inservice training, programing planning and development, hardware selection and purchase,…

Describes and evaluates efforts by North Carolina to assist school personnel in using computers and computer assisted instruction. Discusses a general statewide conference, eight follow-up hands-on regional workshops, follow-up application conferences, specialized planning sessions, and the implementation of a state coordinating project. (DC)

This paper describes METN (Maryland Education Technology Network), a network which is designed to assist Maryland schools in developing instructional computing, while also working to provide equitable access to computers to all Maryland students. The process of creating the system is described, and a number of lessons learned from its development…

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…

Describes Telecommunications Opportunities for Gifted Learners (TOGL), a state-funded project in Florida that links gifted programs in rural districts. The use of electronic mail and computer conferences is described; teacher education and training needs are discussed; and an example of a lesson plan that integrates online activities is given.…

Describes LEARN NC (North Carolina), a program of the School of Education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, is a network of elementary and secondary school educators that helps teachers make effective use of the World Wide Web and integrate it into their classrooms. Explains their Web site, which contains lesson plans and other…

Describes statewide professional development programs in Michigan that were developed to train teachers in technology use. Discusses Teach for Tomorrow, which combines online learning with local facilitators and peer support networks; and the Great Lakes Education Network Best Practices project, which combines lesson plans from the Web with…

Presents a position paper of the Vermont State Technology Council regarding the development of information technology skills and knowledge. Essential skills are identified and linked to the Vermont Education Goals, including skills in word processing, databases, spreadsheets, telecommunications, visual-audio-output, computer simulations, desktop…