Describes an interdisciplinary project incorporating both geography and mathematics for fourth and fifth grade students. Focuses on reading a map with lines of latitude and longitude, learning about climatic regions, and using statistical measures to analyze data. Suggests additional activities to accompany the project. (CMK)

Discusses some current types and uses of technology in the social studies classroom, citing the Inspiration tool program, PowerPoint, and hypermedia in general. Considers whether these approaches are simply the old "lecture and quiz" dressed in a new media. (CMK)

Addresses the implications of technology for multicultural education by examining the potential for global learning networks to promote intercultural literacy and critical thinking. The authors argue that computer and telecommunications technology has the potential to act as a positive catalyst in both areas through linkages of distant classrooms…

This article describes the evolution of distance learning in English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) instruction from the 1970s to the present, focusing on the "guided didactic conversation" model of Holmberg (1983, 1986), examples of distance learning ESL programs, and a new model of distance learning based on computers and electronic communication.…

Identifies reasons for using discussions as part of online courses. Outlines a framework for designing successful discussions; presents guidelines for facilitating discussions for maximum learning; and discusses evaluation of online discussions. Three figures list the four steps or components that are involved with each of these processes. (AEF)

Discusses the value of school library automation, and suggests that an automated school library is the right of every child and teacher. Examines the role of the teacher librarian in the current environment; advantages of Online Public Access Catalogs (OPACs); and trends towards greater convergence in information technology applications in the…

Demands from students with disabilities and regulations from the federal government are prompting colleges to seek new designs in software and hardware. Many colleges are buying computer workstations and designing Web sites that meet the needs of students with disabilities. The university's attitude and organization tends to be the main stumbling…

Describes an alternative approach for general music educators wanting to study new instructional strategies in which a classroom teacher and university educator collaborated to explore the integration of computer technology with Orff-Schulwerk in second- and third-grade music classes. Discusses the project and two of its technology-assisted…

Discusses recent thinking about broad technological change and examines disturbing implications in the context of students at risk of school failure and school reform. Makes recommendations on teacher training and technology use. (Author)

Discusses policy making in United Kingdom higher education that tries to balance expansion with maintaining high standards. Considers computer-assisted assessment as a method for coping with large class sizes while also providing meaningful feedback to students without dominating staff time. (Author/LRW)

This section of "Educational Media and Technology Yearbook" profiles centers and institutes that carry out research and development in the field of instructional technology. Both the Concord Consortium and the Institute for Learning Technology at Columbia University are working hard to use media and technology to transform teaching and learning…

Explores the use of collaborative education that is defined as "teachers and students in remote locations using technology to interact and learn from one another." Reports on the experience of using collaborative education technologies between two social studies preservice classes, focusing on the information students found in answering…

Addresses the status of technology in elementary social studies. Reviews research on technology and elementary social studies, explores various examples of practice, discusses how preservice social studies methods textbooks treat the issue of using technology, and identifies beliefs held by elementary social studies teachers. (CMK)

Discusses the American Association of School Librarian's technology initiative, ICONnect. Components include the following: online courses on Internet use in schools; curriculum connections, providing links to resources and projects; KidsConnect, a question-answering/help/referral service for K-12; ICPrize, rewarding collaborative teams of…

Expounds how the teachers at Ramirez Elementary School (Texas) have learned to use technology as a vehicle for teaching social studies and for enhancing their students' literacy skills. Offers different types of computer learning tools teachers can integrate into their classrooms and illustrates possible uses of the Internet. (CMK)