Describes a science project at Booker T. Washington Middle School #54 (New York City) where seventh and eighth graders computed the Hudson River's water quality using ClarisWorks spreadsheets and MicroWorlds software. Students gained technology skills and public recognition, as well as scientific and environmental information. Includes sample…

Outlines how Compact Disc-interactive (CD-i)--software that looks like a CD-ROM but operates independently using a television set--can be used in elementary, secondary, and vocational education. Discusses the cost effectiveness of CD-i and compares costs and operational issues with CD-ROM. Describes special features of one CD-i program,…

A survey of 38 public and 58 private agencies found the most common rehabilitative services provided to consumers with visual impairment in 1999 were assistive technology evaluations and individual or group technologies training. Both public and private agencies had more difficulty recruiting than retaining staff to provide technology-related…

Discusses the Accelerated Reader software program and describes a project conducted with fourth grade students that investigated strategies for teaching reading and writing comprehension. Topics include generative learning theory; higher order thinking skills; generating original reading comprehension questions; and thinking maps and question…

Considers ways to use electronic books (E-books) to involve students in literature. Highlights include E-book technology; costs; digital content; acquiring versus accessing information in libraries; title availability; storage capacity; sources of E-book content, especially Web sites; downloading software and E-books; sources for current,…

To test the validity of the National Literary Braille Competency Test (NLBCT), 181 Florida teachers of students with visual impairments were asked if they transcribe Braille using a Braillewriter, a slate and stylus, Braille computer programs, or transcriber aides. The majority transcribed using computer software or a Braillewriter. (CR)

Discusses problems associated with existing commercial word processing materials and shows the reasons why their use in second language (L2) instructional settings is inappropriate. Describes the processes and obstacles involved in creating a manual for use in formal computer lab L2 instructional settings or by students learning word processing…

Discussion of use of the Internet for distance learning examines non-traditional students, computer-based training programs, Computer Gateway Interface (CGI), creating tests on the World Wide Web, types of Web testing, programming and software, and the future of Internet-based instruction. (LRW)

Discusses issues related to the integration of computer-assisted language learning (CALL) into an intensive English program (IEP), drawing from the experiences of a program involved in change from a skill-separated to a skill-integrated curricular model. Emphasizes that student use of software should be monitored and that programs should have…

Offering Internet training sessions can encourage parents to attend parent-teacher conferences and become more involved in their children's schooling. Topics can include filtering software and integrating the Internet into the curriculum; brief lab sessions can acquaint parents with e-mail and World Wide Web "bookmarks." Tips for…

Considers causes of friction between librarians and computer support staff, including poor communications, dealing with patron discontent, management problems, difficulties in purchasing hardware and software, and difficulties with systems work. (LRW)

Discusses design requirements, and advantages and disadvantages of the following learner-centered instructional development tools: information containers; authoring systems; templates, models, or widgets; learning-oriented instructional development tools; and adaptive learning-oriented systems. (AEF)

Describes the two broad categories of Internet-based training: text-only and multimedia. Discusses the following text-based only tools: e-mail, bulletin boards, and software downloading. Identifies four types of World Wide Web-based training, which include: Web computer-based training, Web-based employee performance support systems, and…

Describes push technology, which supplies automatic newsfeeds to users from a select group of Internet and intranet news, information, and software resources. Highlights include similarities to selective dissemination of information, intranet management, and addresses of some push technology sites on the World Wide Web. (LRW)

Discussion of personal bibliographic systems (PBS) that manage the input, storage, retrieval, and output of bibliographic references focuses on low-cost mainstream bibliographic software for personal use or smaller libraries. Structural flexibility, indexes, printing and downloading, searching, and interface- and management-related issues are…