In the Western Pacific, the People First Network project has since 2001 been building a growing network of rural email stations across the conflict-ridden Solomon Islands. These stations are based on robust technology and consist of solar panels, short-wave radios and compatible modems, laptop computers and printers to provide email communication…

This article extends current research by more closely examining children and young people's uses of the Internet for homework support within the familial context. In particular, it examines how young people find and deploy resources, how levels and quality of access influence use and the participation of other family members in homework support.…

This paper considers gender differences in online contexts and examines current trends in women's performance, access and experience of online courses. It uses supportive case study examples and specific research into students' academic engagement, conceptions and perceptions of learning support in online environments. The analysis shows that…

A number of science museums and science-technology centers throughout the United States are making computers accessible and understandable to the general public. A five-stage model of public access to computers is introduced, and ways of implementing the first level, special public access, are described.

Reports on a study of the information-seeking behavior of users of Infotrac, OCLC, Newsbank Electronic Index, and LS/2 at the Bowling Green State University Libraries. Following a brief description of the data gathered by interviews, a model for library user education that considers automated information retrieval is presented. (2 references) (MES)

Approximately 9 out of 10 high school students who have access to a home computer use that computer to complete school assignments. Using the Computer and Internet Use Supplements to the 2001 Current Population Survey, this study explores whether access to home computers increases the likelihood of school enrollment among teenagers who have not…

The Portable and Mobile Classroom (PortMoC) began as an idea to bring Internet connectivity to places where there was no connectivity for education and healthcare, but still make the connection reasonably sustainable in terms of cost and manpower. Through trial and error and several research iterations, Saint Francis University's Center of…

The Computer Services Department of the Upper Arlington Public Library in Franklin County, Ohio, provides microcomputers for public use, including IBM compatible and Macintosh computers, a laser printer, and dot-matrix printers. Circulation statistics provide data regarding the frequency and amount of computer use, but these statistics indicate…

A study examined technology gaps in rural schools and computer accessibility and Internet use by teachers. Findings from surveys of 205 teachers in the rural Ozarks region of Missouri indicate significant differences in Internet accessibility among rural schools with a low, middle, or high technology status; and no significant interaction effects…

This edition of "Equity Coalition" is designed to be a resource to assist those who have responsibility for technology in the schools. The authors of these articles discuss a variety of issues related to computer uses in education and equal access to educational technology. The issue contains the following articles: (1) "Technology--A New Kind of…

In 2000, the National TRIO Clearinghouse embarked on a study of the extent of access to computer-based technology of TRIO Talent Search (TS) students and the role TS projects play in providing access. Responses from all TRIO programs show that the access of TS students to technology is limited. Only 66% of TS students have access to computers and…

This paper uses data from the Computer and Internet Use Supplement to the August 2000 Current Population Survey to explore causes of racial differences in computer ownership and Internet use rates. Overall, Mexican-Americans are one-half as likely to own computers and one-fourth as likely to use the Internet at home than are whites. The black home…

The 2000 KIDS COUNT Data Book examined the isolation that plagues many low-income families. The lack of home Internet access will only deepen the isolation as opportunities and meaningful connections to support services become primarily available online. This snapshot examines the demographics of the digital divide between those who have and those…

Not-for-profit organizations employ 11% of all U.S. workers; these organizations are often the recipients of hand-me-down hardware and software. This study investigates accounting students expectations of the information technology available to and used by not-for-profit organizations. In this descriptive study, based on two different surveys,…

This report presents key findings from the 2003 FRSS survey on Internet access in U.S. public schools and selected comparisons with data from previous FRSS Internet surveys. The 2003 survey, covered the following topics: (1) school connectivity, including school and classroom access to the Internet, types of connections, and computer hardware,…