The thing about digital literacy is its inherent squishiness. Educators argue whether the tool or the purpose matters most. They debate whether something being "electronic" constitutes "digital." Does it need a screen? A keyboard? More than that, teachers must decide what it means to read and write digitally and how to assess…

Describing an online faculty member or community college faculty member may soon be synonymous. The role of the online faculty and the knowledge and skills associated with the growth of online course enrollments are transforming the nature and characteristics of community college faculty as a profession. To accomplish these tasks, an online…

How can teachers teach digital citizenship when the digital landscape is changing so rapidly? How can teachers teach proper online social interactions when the students are outside their classroom and thus outside their control? Will encouraging students to engage in global collaborative environments land teachers in hot water? These are the…

Job responsibilities of computer teachers and library media specialists are increasingly overlapping and it is recommended that the curricula of the two disciplines are seen as a single entity. How this can be done best is detailed with the proviso that two specialized individuals will continue to be required to teach students the necessary skills.

A small high schools' staff development effort to train teachers in computer literacy is recounted. Staff developers used teacher feedback in designing the program, which started as a one-shot workshop but grew into a continuing professional development activity. (PP)

College students often expect responses instantaneously and become angered if their friends have turned off their cell phones or did not leave an away message on instant message. A "60 Minutes" television segment in 2004 described how today's generation of college students, called "echo boomers," are "the most sophisticated generation ever when it…

Examines issues related to educational change, discussing both the teacher and the computer as change agents and the student's role in learning. Indicates that one educational goal is to have students become self-reliant and independent learners and that computers can help achieve this goal. (JN)

Microcomputers can help students develop understanding of the economic system. Computer software can promote basic skills in education, integrate economic decision making, and help students face value decisions. (DF)

Addresses several important questions regarding the teaching of computer ethics that are being raised by educators, but have been neglected at conferences and in computer education literature: why teach computer ethics; what ethical issues should be taught; who should teach computer ethics; and when and how it should be taught. (MBR)

Examines three main aspects of using the Internet in education concerning (1) activities that can be carried out on the Internet; (2) skills and knowledge teachers need to make full use of the opportunities that networking offers; and (3) classification of the educational goals that can be pursued with the aid of networking. (AEF)

Addresses the cultural gap between teachers who are computer literate and those who are not. Highlights include traditional teaching methods; surface reasons for not using computers, including high cost, complexity, hostile interface, and rapid obsolescence; the opportunity for students to become independent lifelong learners with the Internet;…

Discusses the implementation of computer conferencing (CC) as a learning environment to supplement classroom instruction at the postsecondary level. The teacher's role, student characteristics, group dynamics, benefits and limitations, and orientation and training in computer conferencing technology are highlighted. A figure illustrates the…

In this article, the author provides an overview of the best instructional design and delivery practices for facilitating online courses. Many factors that contribute to effectively facilitating an online course are discussed, including student expectations and experience with technology, understanding the types of technologies used, effective…

Schools with successful computer programs often got them as the result of a determined teacher's efforts. Computer experts explain how teachers can: (1) gain access to a computer; (2) read up on the subject; (3) win financial support; and (4) learn to evaluate software. A guide to summer study programs at colleges and other organizations is…

Implementing computers and other elements of high tech into the classroom involves sound visionary planning, a comprehensive, diverse group of educators, and on-going staff development. The computer should be used as a problem-solving tool in a variety of settings and applications, the ramifications of which demand that educators in all subject…