The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) has employed its Fast Response Survey System (FRSS) to track access to information technology in schools and classrooms since 1994. This report presents key findings from the 2005 FRSS survey on Internet access in U.S. public schools and selected comparisons with data from previous FRSS…

This paper examines the use of instructional technology for college preparation programs. Over the last decade, the proliferation of personal computers and internet access has led to the widespread adoption of instructional technology in all educational sectors. This paper provides a typology of instructional technology specific to college…

This document contains a letter to members of the United States Senate reporting the information gathered from a study of five school districts' experiences funding technology programs. Appendices, which comprise the majority of the document, include the project scope and evaluation, and the reports from each school district. The five school…

This study examined utilization of digital resources at two different Native American tribal schools, one located in the Southwest and another in the Northwest. Ethnographic methods were employed in the study to explore the cultural issues involved in the use of computers in the tribal schools. Site visits were conducted of the two schools.…

In fall 1995, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) conducted a survey of advanced telecommunications in private schools to provide baseline data on computer and Internet availability, and allow for comparisons with public schools. To revisit the issue of computer and Internet availability in private schools and measure changes since…

This paper examines the goal of providing transparent computer access to people with disabilities, especially those with visual impairments. First, four basic strategies to provide this population with access to technology are identified: (1) building features into the computer, operating system, or application programs; (2) using adaptive…

At a time when demand for employees with information technology (IT) skills is booming, there is a decline not only in the number of females entering this field of study in most western countries but also in the number of females taking computer courses (Nielsen, von Hellens, Wong, 2000). Moreover, the gap in computer access and training for…

This paper argues that a range of forms and modalities of resources should be provided to ensure accessibility and richness on the World Wide Web for all users. Based on experiences in developing virtual exhibitions of Quinkan Aboriginal Rock Art, the authors present a brief overview of the technology available for accessibility. Then they explore…

This paper provides guidance on the issue of universal Web accessibility for individuals with physical challenges, who need accommodations to fully participate in the electronic world. Four categories of information facilitate understanding the complexity of the issues. These categories are: U.S. legal mandates; international accessibility policy…

Since 1994, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) has surveyed nationally representative samples of approximately 1,000 public schools in the fall of each academic year on Internet access and, since 1996, on the types of Internet connections used. The most recent survey of Internet access indicates that public schools in the United…

This study was conducted to confirm the validity and reliability of the 64-item Measure of School Capacity for Improvement (MSCI). The MSCI was designed to assess the degree to which schools possess the potential to become high performing learning communities, and was developed in response to a paucity of definition, operationalization, and…

Few colleges and universities are utilizing the computer to its full potential or to fulfill the needs of higher education. (IR)

Surveys of middle school students and teachers revealed: (1) more technology in student homes than in school; (2) away-from-school technology use by both groups; similarity in skills both groups wanted to learn; teachers' different priorities for student uses of technologies than for their own; and three set of implications relating to technology…

Examines the pros and cons of providing access to the World Wide Web for library patrons as well as suggesting solutions to problems. Discusses the establishment of a library policy governing the use of the Web, as well as the importance of workshops and instructional materials on Web use in libraries. (Author/AEF)

Discusses the St. Philip's College (SPC) Learning Resource Center laptop loaning program. States that SPC is a Historically Black College and Hispanic Serving Institution that is now rewarding honors students by lending them laptops for a semester at a time. Discusses the development of the loaning program. Provides a list of Web sites for anyone…