Describes a study that examined preservice teachers' perceptions of the computer's role in education and their preparation to teach with computers. Topics discussed include exposure to educational uses of computers; values placed on computers and the teacher's role; and perceptions factors that inhibit computer use. A copy of the questionnaire is…

Offers insights into the new distance education initiative in Canadian lay theological education. Describes the diploma program at St. Francis Xavier University that is situated within the continuing education division; challenges of a distance format, including community-building and providing practical skills such as leadership; and advantages…

Research shows that many students lack civic engagement, civic literacy, and the disposition toward becoming responsible citizens. Teachers must convey the meaning of citizenship and its context, rights, and responsibilities. Project Citizen, Outward Bound, and service learning programs can help students learn democratic participation behaviors.…

Examines effects of prevailing wage laws on school construction costs, using final cost data from six British Columbia school districts. When controlling for factors such as construction business cycle, number of competitors, and school type, there was no significant unit cost change following the Skill Development and Fair Wage Policy Act.…

An exploratory study of 12 Dutch primary schools revealed that interpretations of the special-services coordinator's role promote development of a separated system of special education. Delivery of services for special-needs students remains the exclusive task of specialists, and classroom teachers' learning is not promoted. (Contains 23…

For principals, a teaching or educational leadership background is crucial for performing their instructional leadership and democratic governance responsibilities. Schools' experience with alternatively certified teachers (likely to be less effective, committed, or permanent than traditionally trained teachers) should raise cautionary flags about…

Explores conceptual frameworks and innovative computational environments to support lifelong learning. Topics include problems in the information age, including school-to-work transition; training issues; open systems; collaborative systems; intelligent tutoring systems; domain-oriented design environments; critiquing; inservice teacher education;…

Provides an introduction to CD-ROM networking. Highlights include LAN (local area network) architectures for CD-ROM networks, peer-to-peer networks, shared file and dedicated file servers, commercial software/vendor solutions, problems, multiple hardware platforms, and multimedia. Six figures illustrate network architectures and a sidebar contains…

Describes a study that examined the impact of the use of electronic mail and a newsgroup on practicing physical education teachers and physical education doctoral students at Ohio State University. Topics include the effect of electronic communication on teachers; problems with electronic networking; and teacher perceptions, especially regarding…

Argues that the proposals regarding patenting which are included in the international Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) will strengthen existing trade monopolies and adversely influence technology diffusion between the northern and southern hemisphere. Notes that such an outcome could diminish market…

Examines the use of a local area network in an educational environment to maximize the use of academic computing resources. Topics discussed include information resources, including the Internet; interpersonal communication through electronic mail; group support systems; computer resource management, including software licensing; problems; and…

Presents an outline for a planned technical session discussing innovations in the Web, the current state of Web searching, challenges, and future directions. Highlights include search engines; an empirical comparison of Web site overview techniques; Federal statistics web sites; and an evaluation of Web search engines from the end-user's…

Teachers, principals, school systems, parents, and textbook publishers have been blamed for students' failure to meet tougher standards. Instead, expectations for achieving unreasonable state and Goals 2000 standards should be critically examined. Testing state legislators, school board members, administrators, and teachers might illuminate the…

An Illinois school district's quest for magical answers to technology-integration woes inspired a homegrown potion. Planners advise others to begin the journey regardless of available resources, find supportive "munchkins" within the community, face and overcome obstacles, choose traveling companions wisely, fight off attacks together, and create…

ZApME! Corporation provides computer labs and Internet access to K-12 schools in return for advertising or promotional access to students and their families. The free software and hardware may not be appropriate for realizing a school's instructional goals. Educational plans should not be shaped by corporations' business objectives. (Contains 25…