In this article, Larry Cuban discusses his ideas about the topic of this Special Issue of E-learning and Digital Media "Networked Realms and Hoped-For Futures: A Trans-Generational Dialogue" with one of its co-editors, Petar Jandric. The conversation explores the historical relationships between education and information and…

Everyone has an opinion about technology. Depending on whom you ask, it will either: a) Liberate us from the drudgery of everyday life, rescue us from disease and hardship, and enable the unimagined flourishing of human civilization; or b) Take away our jobs, leave us broke, purposeless, and miserable, and cause civilization as we know it to…

In this interview, Cindy Selfe talks about the intersections of technological literacy, digital scholarship, poststructuralist theory, and university politics. In doing so, she provides a lens for scholars trying to understand the milieu of the university by viewing its potential in juxtaposition to its past; explains how technology redefines the…

John Palfrey is one busy guy, with an impressive gig. In 2008, he was named the Henry N. Ess III Professor of Law and Vice Dean for Library and Information Resources at Harvard Law School. And when he's not teaching courses on intellectual property and Internet law, there's a good chance he's overseeing the L school's research library. Palfrey,…

Calls upon the innovators of the communications field to look in the rear view mirror to see the businesses left behind in the information expansion race. Puts forth a model utilizing social learning theory to define a framework for "road service," getting the small business "resister" up to the information superhighway speed…

Discusses, in the context of southern California's severe earthquake in January 1994, attitudes to technology and the information superhighway. Argues that technology should not be worshipped as a solution. (SR)

Discusses the role of computers in today's world and the construction of computer use attitudes, such as gender gaps. Suggests how schools might close the gaps. Includes a brief explanation about how facility with computers is important for women in their efforts to gain equitable treatment in all aspects of their lives. (PA)

Discusses the use of beliefs to guide researchers in the development of computer-based learning. Topics include properties of beliefs; beliefs about learning; beliefs about computer technologies; directions for computer-based learning, including multimedia technology, virtual reality, and groupware; and learning rationales, including…

Discusses ten ways that technology is being oversold and the implications for educators at all levels. Argues that while technology is considered a useful tool, sales tactics that stir fears of being antiquated and promise instant access to information, group participation, worldwide contacts, and time and money savings are misleading. (JPB)

For some reason, the idea of the nature writer at work in the open air has been exalted, and it is difficult to think that writing about nature might be compatible with computers, the ultimate indoor toy. However, for students learning to write about nature, a networked computer environment may be the best place to be, not for replacing the…

Staff development should be a process in which members of an organization examine and improve their professional performance constantly. Specialists in staff development, with interest in the newer educational technologies, should resist the temptation to push technologies on colleagues and should foster critically reflective teamwork rooted in…

Identifies major issues involved in the use of computers with young children, such as developmental appropriateness, computer labs versus integration within classroom curriculum, teacher and parent training, and equity of access. Argues that computers have a major, positive impact on young children when used as part of individualized, integrated…

Examines the factors contributing to the progression of microcomputers into the early childhood classroom. Suggests that inevitable changes in the character of early childhood education caused by technology will, in fact, be positive changes. (HTH)

Suggests it is not difficult to imbue computers with human personalities. Discusses the work of Rodolphe Topffer (1799-1846), an artist, designer, and amateur psychologist. Concludes that responding socially to computers has significant implications for media literacy. (SG)

Even if women overcome negative perceptions of computer-related jobs, studies of children and computers and of college students' responses to mock job ads indicate that abilities and traits for technology jobs may be associated more with one gender than the other. This may influence career choices in gender typical or atypical areas. (Contains 47…