In this article we describe the MentorBlog project, which facilitated the mentoring of trainee teachers in the postcompulsory education sector through the use of blogs. In an experimental design, the study compared their experiences with students who received traditional mentoring. Blogs were used by the trainees to communicate with their mentors…

As President Obama said in advance remarks about the American Graduation Initiative: "[T]he hard truth is that some of the jobs that have been lost in the auto industry and elsewhere won't be coming back. And that only underscores the importance of generating new businesses and industries to replace the ones we've lost, and of preparing our…

Speech technology--especially automatic speech recognition--has now advanced to a level where it can be of great benefit both to able-bodied people and those with various disabilities. In this paper we describe an application "TalkMaths" which, using the output from a commonly-used conventional automatic speech recognition system,…

The advancement of computer technology used for research is creating the need to change the way classes are taught in higher education. "Bringing Research Tools into the Classroom" has become a major focus of the work of the Office of Educational Innovation and Technology (OEIT) for the Dean of Undergraduate Education (DUE) at the…

This paper describes an innovative pilot project at the University of Canberra aimed at providing pre-service early childhood teachers with the skills, confidence and ideological change required to include technology-enhanced learning as part of the early childhood curriculum. The impact of the project was evaluated through participant…

Examines the critical role of information and communication technologies (ICT) in Swedish early childhood classrooms. Suggests that for children to become skillful users of ICT, equipment and a variety of software must be readily available, and teachers must develop their expertise with technology in order to use it effectively and creatively in…

The field of machine learning has developed a wide array of techniques for improving the effectiveness of performance elements. Ideally, a learning system would adapt its commitments to the demands of a particular learning situation, rather than relying on fixed commitments that impose tradeoffs between the efficiency and utility of a learning…

COMPUPLAY, a program of the National Lekotek Center (Illinois) for handicapped children (ages 2-14) emphasizes the value of parent/child play activities using computers and provides computer support and resources to parents and professionals. (DB)

Describes a sociology course in which the word processor was used as an aid for teaching writing. States that the personal computer could have its greatest pedagogical impact as a device to improve students writing. Concludes that word processors have been shown to be effective tools for encouraging students to write and improve required papers.…

In response to complaints about a suburban Washington school district's handling of job applicant data, Fairfax County (Virginia) designed and programed a computerized applicant-tracking system that can accommodate 14,000 active applicants. This system has boosted the district's recruitment analysis and report generation capability, thereby…

Described is a statistical methodology course offered at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. The course covers descriptive statistics as well as some procedures for estimating and testing hypotheses. Students use computer statistical packages and write a computer program for some statistical procedures. (RH)

Outlines an approach that integrates the microcomputer into the entire research process. Describes student use of the microcomputer before, during, and after an experiment. Discusses the benefits that students derive from conducting research using microcomputers. (Author/GEA)

Provides guidelines for proper computer environment, care, and handling. Successful implementation of equipment and programs depends on adequate electrical circuitry, antistatic carpeting, and proper lighting and room temperature, among other factors. Hints are also provided concerning computer furniture, care of software, and personnel…

How did we build a site that has grown to more than 6,000 Web pages and 50 million hits per year--with a few part-time people, with no budget for the first five years, and a minimal budget the next five? We will describe an efficient and effective design process fundamental to our strategy that is essentially a method of disciplined inquiry. Our…

Learning objects are digital content that can be used and reused for teaching and learning. They are modular, flexible, portable, transferable (interoperable) and accessible. Learning objects may be used to teach a particular skill or concept, or to provide stimulating thinking and learning experiences for the teacher or student. A learning…