Handheld devices, most familiar to educators today in the form of graphing calculators, are rapidly improving their interface, computational, and communication capabilities. Communication capabilities allow participants to rapidly share mathematical objects among their handhelds, potentially contributing to improved classroom discourse. We have…

This digest briefly reviews connections among the literature on the adoption of innovations, technology integration, and the value of reflection in encouraging educators to explore the integration of new educational technologies into their current teaching practices. An approach to prompting reflection is described, which uses structured guidance…

Where other educational technologies like television, the VCR and the stand-alone computer have failed to have much of an impact in public schools, local school networks and the Internet have been succeeding. As of 1997, 89% of America's high schools were connected to a computer network. This paper presents a view of network technology from the…

Chronicles the experiences of teachers and elementary students from the United States and Costa Rica as they participated in a videoconferencing project, initiated by Costa Rican students and made possible by CATE, Center for Applied Technologies in Education. Notes that the distance learning experience enhanced academic, technological and…

Describes advantages of using learning objects for technology-supported instruction, with a focus on higher education. Explores why teachers would want to use them, and explains how to facilitate their use. Emphasizes effective implementation of existing learning objects, rather than the separate issue of designing learning objects. (AEF)

Presents the findings of a survey of faculty who publish course Web sites associated with their classroom courses. Reports that most instructors indicated that their goals for the Web sites have been largely achieved, and most consider the sites to be essential to a successful course design. (Contains nine references.) (CB)

Addresses the problem that teachers are still hesitant to use technology for teaching and learning. Proposes that action research can be an effective professional development strategy to show teachers how to use computer technology in their classrooms. Suggests that since action research provides a structure for reflective practice, it can…

Proposes that to overcome initial fears of technology, it is important to survey teachers, determine their concerns, and provide training opportunities. Describes the author's experience of working with faculty resistant to technology, and in designing faculty training in Blackboard, an online course platform. (PM)

Analyzes the experiences and experiments of the Open University (OU), United Kingdom, in the use of computer conferencing over 10 years. Provides a framework for considering educational uses of the medium and describes several innovative applications. Highlights the main issues involved in implementing this technology. (Author)

Analyzes assumptions underlying learner-centered, technology-based environments in light of how well learners appear to meet the cognitive demands for engaging them. Design implications include the following considerations: direct learner attention to key variables and visual cues; prompt and guide connections to prior knowledge; and provide…

Describes three approaches to adapting courses to distance delivery: the most common "dive-in" technique (little preparation other than adapting print on transparencies, practicing with technology controls, and test-running); the "chunking" approach (considering how the major "chunks" of teaching can be transported to…

Uses a case study approach in examining the attitudes and motivations of five teacher educators who used technology in their classroom. Identifies and discusses six common elements of multicultural technology integration and concludes with a general discussion on the need to combine pedagogical methods with a practical vision of technology use and…

How can a classroom teacher reconcile the need for students with diverse backgrounds and abilities to master specific learning objectives within a content area with the simultaneous need for them to build their technology skills? Student-made digital multimedia could be the answer for students at all grade levels. Student achievement and effective…

This study addressed the level that instructional technology is integrated in the teaching/ learning process in three secondary career and technical education (CTE) programs, namely, agriscience, business, and marketing education. CTE teachers are most active in exploring the potential of using technology in the teaching/learning process, and in…

The biochemistry lecture is often the place where students receive the greatest exposure to the structural nature of biomolecules. The use of molecular visualization software and web-based animated tutorials has enhanced the way instructors teach this important area of structural biology. Using the software and tutorials in class is an excellent…