Teaching in a classroom configured with computers has been heralded as an aid to learning. Students receive the benefits of working with large data sets and real-world problems. However, with the advent of network and wireless connections, students can now use the computer for alternating tasks, such as emailing, web browsing, and social…

Colleges are looking for ways to cut costs, and most students now own laptops. As a result, many campus technology leaders are taking a hard look at those brightly lit rooms with rows of networked computers, which cost hundreds of thousands of dollars a year to maintain. More than 11% of colleges and universities are phasing out computer labs or…

PowerPoint and other visual technologies have become pervasive in schools. Adoption of these technologies is perceived as a necessary--or, at the very least, an educationally appropriate--innovation in UK schools, even though systematic examination of their use is relatively recent. On the basis of a wider ethnographic study of ICT use in one UK…

Student computer laboratories are provided by most teaching institutions around the world; however, what is the most effective layout for such facilities? The log-in data files from computer laboratories at a regional university in Australia were analysed to determine whether there was a pattern in student seating. In particular, it was…

Computer activities that combine education and entertainment make learning easy and fun for preschoolers. Computers encourage social skills, language and literacy skills, cognitive development, problem solving, and eye-hand coordination. The paper describes one teacher's experiences setting up a computer center and using computers with…

This paper discusses techniques for the preservice teacher to use in planning computer learning experiences for young children. Teachers need to become aware of the functions of the computer, the capabilities of computer technology with young children, and the response of young children to the computer in the learning environment. Teachers should…

Compared expressive language used by preschoolers when engaged at a classroom computer center with that used during free play. Found that mean lengths of utterance showed no significant differences in amount of language spoken, no matter the context. Found exceptions in which one student was more expressive at the computer, and three others were…

One of the challenges in teaching a hybrid Basic Course in Communication is the wide variety of topics that can be covered in one semester. Two basic course instructors have found that their recently opened Basic Course computer lab gave them the opportunity to develop interdisciplinary assignments to help more efficiently address various…

Describes the educational Quick Response (QR) Center developed at the Fashion Institute of Technology to enable students, faculty, and industry to bridge the technology learning gap between college and the workplace. QR is a working model of a Just-in-Time computer system that enables companies to produce and deliver finished goods just in time to…

Reports on a survey of California State University system faculty to examine the extent to which they utilized computers professionally and to determine their computing resource needs. Responses from 237 faculty members were analyzed for differences in gender, existing computing skills, integration of computing into instruction, use of…

This paper reviews literature on the use of computers at work and home, computer skills needed by new teachers, and suggestions for administrators to support computer usage in schools. A survey of 52 school districts serving the Houston area of southeast Texas is reported, indicating that 22,664 computers were in use, with a mean of 436 computers…

Examines issues concerning the initial setup and the everyday operational problems of managing a computer teaching laboratory. Addresses such issues as setting policies on laboratory access, dealing with a high student-per-machine ratio, provisions for maintenance, obtaining hardware and software upgrades, staffing, data security, and networking…

In spring 1992, a study was performed to identify the current use of microcomputers for instruction at community colleges in Kansas. A questionnaire was sent to 20 community colleges, requesting information on subject areas in which computers are used in instruction, types and quantities of computers used, types of operating systems used, use of…

Describes preschoolers' collaboration during free play in a computer lab, focusing on the computer's contribution to active, peer-mediated learning. Discusses these observations in terms of Parten's insights on children's social play and Vygotsky's socio-cultural learning theory, noting that the children scaffolded each other's growing computer…

Describes benefits of distance learning labs in schools. Discusses funding, equipment needed, and distance learning etiquette. Suggests techniques for making long distance learning interactions more meaningful and educational. (AEF)