In the euphoria about new technologies in distance education there exists the danger of not sufficiently considering how ever increasing "virtualization" may exclude some student groups. An explorative study was conducted that asked disabled students about their experiences with using computers and the Internet. Overall, those questioned…

Tests the effects of Web page design instruction on improving computer self-efficacy of preservice teachers. Various computer experiences, including weekly computer use, weekly Internet use, and use frequencies of word processing, e-mail, games, and presentation software were significantly related to computer self-efficacy. Use frequencies of word…

Outlines the development of information technology (IT) in education in Hong Kong from its beginnings in the 1980s. Reports on how Hong Kong's schools have moved toward online learning and analyzes difficulties they have been encountering in the process. Suggests that the major impediment to technology integration in education comes from beliefs…

Videotaped four- to eight-year olds as they interacted with computer software at different levels of developmental appropriateness. Facial expressions and other affective behaviors were analyzed as a function of age, presence of a peer, and appropriateness of software. Found that responses were mediated more by age, gender, and social condition…

Investigated the changes in attitudes toward computers in 803 Japanese first and second graders who were exposed to computers in school. Found that children who used computers tended to like them more than children who did not use computers. The findings failed to provide evidence that computer use improved intellectual activities such as…

Describes a study of high school students that examined gender differences in mathematics experience and attitudes as well as the association between math attitudes and computer attitudes. Results indicate a positive correlation between math experiences and attitudes and computer attitudes; and boys had more math experience and more positive…

Describes a study of the multimedia constructions of children 8-10 years of age, composed of both acoustic and visual elements. Suggested that arts provide a great deal of interest to children in the acquisition of computer literacy and that links need to be made between existing curricula and corresponding computer applications. (AA)

Examines some of the effects of the Computer Society of South Africa's computer literacy training projects for educationally disadvantaged students, and explores the need for future research in this area. Motivation, expectations, and student attitudes are discussed. (JKP)

Contemporary culture exhibits an increasingly polarized spectrum of attitudes toward virtualization: those who want photorealism and those who seek sheer fantasy. This author describes "Virtual Realism," his strategy for balancing the two social forces. His students at California's Art Center College of Design are putting it to the test.…

Examines the use of computers, the Internet, and the World Wide Web by African-American, Hispanic, Asian-American and Native-American college students. Also explores students' perceptions of cyberspace technology. Uses focus groups and questionnaire methods for study. (MMU)

Examines differences in use of and familiarity with computing technology between black and white undergraduate students in a sample of 570 students from a single university. Black students enter school with less experience with computers, and this difference is not lessened by collegiate experience. Institutional factors may be responsible for…

Users and nonusers of Web-based instruction (WBI) in an undergraduate statistics classes at Youngstown State University were surveyed. Users concluded that distance learning via the Web was a good method of obtaining general information and useful tool in improving their academic performance. Nonusers thought the university should provide…

Reviews some of the cross-cultural factors that should be considered in the design of interactive learning environments such as computer simulations and games. Highlights include cross-cultural differences in learning and the use of technology; cross-cultural attitudes toward technology; computer anxiety; and a methodology for culture-centered…

Reports on a study in which college and junior high school students were paired to read books together. Suggests that reading attitudes improved and the degree of comfort with technology increased. Reviews student comments about the value of the pairing project. (TB)

Examines correlations between student cognitive-motivational characteristics and perceptions of computer conferencing as a supplement to classroom instruction. Questionnaires were distributed to 209 students in eight introductory psychology classes. Results indicated perceptions positively related to intrinsic motivation, thinking skills, and task…