Computer-generated anthropomorphic characters are a growing type of communicator that is deployed in digital communication environments. An essential theoretical question is how people identify humanlike but clearly artificial, hence humanoid, entities in comparison to natural human ones. This identity categorization inquiry was approached under…

An exploratory case study was designed to obtain pre­service teachers' expectations of and attitudes toward the learning and integrating of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) into their teaching and learning. Given the diverse demographic backgrounds and social conditions of the teacher candidates, such as age, gender, English…

Teachers' beliefs about their self-efficacy for integrating technology, their outcome expectations for integrating technology, and their interest in using technology to support student learning influence their intentions for incorporating technology into their instructional practices. To date, instruments developed to examine the relationships…

The older adult (55+) population is becoming a significant presence in the personal computer market. Seniors have the discretionary income, experience, interest, and free time to make use of computers in interesting ways. A literature review found that older adults make use of computers in significant numbers: 30 percent of computer owners are…

A meta-analysis of studies of gender differences in computer attitudes and behavior found that males exhibited greater sex-role stereotyping of computers, higher computer self-efficacy, and more positive attitudes toward computers than females. Most differences in attitudes and behavior were small, with the largest found in high school students.…

Identifies major issues involved in the use of computers with young children, such as developmental appropriateness, computer labs versus integration within classroom curriculum, teacher and parent training, and equity of access. Argues that computers have a major, positive impact on young children when used as part of individualized, integrated…

In a survey of British secondary students ages 11-12 (n=143) and 15-16 (n=135), males reported more experience with and positive attitudes toward computers than did females; younger students had more experience and positive attitudes than older students. Age differences in experience and gender and age differences in confidence were significant.…

Describes a study that investigated the effect of three different Web menu designs on users' information-seeking performance and attitudes. Results of analysis of variance showed different effects of menu design on both searching performance and browsing performance, but no significant differences in users' perceptions. (Contains 75 references.)…

Examines the factors contributing to the progression of microcomputers into the early childhood classroom. Suggests that inevitable changes in the character of early childhood education caused by technology will, in fact, be positive changes. (HTH)

Suggests it is not difficult to imbue computers with human personalities. Discusses the work of Rodolphe Topffer (1799-1846), an artist, designer, and amateur psychologist. Concludes that responding socially to computers has significant implications for media literacy. (SG)

Even if women overcome negative perceptions of computer-related jobs, studies of children and computers and of college students' responses to mock job ads indicate that abilities and traits for technology jobs may be associated more with one gender than the other. This may influence career choices in gender typical or atypical areas. (Contains 47…

To examine the role of teachers' conceptual representations of the Internet and World Wide Web, a survey and 10 case studies were conducted among pre- and in-service teachers enrolled in university courses. Results reveal diverse, plausible representations, not related to level of expertise. Experts were found to have a "representational…

Interviews and observations of four adult literacy students elicited their experiences with computers and effects of computer use on learning. They found computer-assisted learning challenging and motivating; it enabled them to control their learning experience. However, they may not have access outside the classroom that would enable future…

As a result of the general improvement in living conditions in industrialised Western countries, people aged over 60 years usually reach the third age in good mental and physical condition. Contemporary society has thus had to endeavour to offer the new old not only social services but also pastimes, leisure, social, cultural and educational…

The Computer Anxiety Scale (CAS) is a measure of perceptions by individuals of their anxiety in different situations toward computers. The CAS was developed a number of years ago before computer technology became such an integral part of life. Covariance modeling techniques were used to examine whether the originally proposed construct of computer…