Educational commentators have long feared a "digital disconnection" between emerging generations of technology-rich students accustomed to high levels of Internet use and their technology-poor schools. Yet few studies have empirically examined the existence and potential implications of such a disconnect from the students' perspective.…

In the past two decades, economic, technological, demographic, and political forces have stimulated major change in the learning and working landscape for young people. Understanding how to use computers and other technology for learning, productivity, and performance has become as fundamental to a person's ability to navigate through school and…

The primary purpose of this study was to examine composition practices in public schools across the state of Indiana, to investigate who incorporates composition and why they chose to use or not use composing tasks. A second purpose was to learn if teachers had an operational definition for composition. Three hundred thirty-nine teachers…

Based on the findings of a content analysis of representative literature on educational technology, this report examines trends in educational technology from October 1, 1994 through September 30, 1995. Eight trends for 1995 are identified and discussed: (1) computers are pervasive in schools and higher education institutions and virtually every…

While 96% of teachers profess to use technology, this study of 85 teachers in grades 5-12 in Florida and Georgia found that only 4% of teachers actually integrated technology in their instruction. The majority of schools had few computers, fewer Internet-ready computers available for student access, and teachers who had never received any training…

The differences between Whites and African Americans in the United States with respect to computer access, which is the current prerequisite for Internet access and World Wide Web use, were studied. The question was whether observed race differences in access and use can be accounted for by differences in income and education, how access impacts…

Shiksha India, a non-profit organization supported by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) was formed with the prime intent to bridge the digital divide in India. Through providing various technology tools to the schools free of cost, Shiksha aims to equip the school children with a variety of academic and life-long skills. The only…

This study of secondary school students was conducted to determine effects of gender, grade, mathematics placement, and access to microcomputers on computer literacy achievement gains. Results indicate males, younger students, and students in college preparatory and advanced math courses gained more than their counterparts. Computer access was…

An introduction of microcomputers into schools has exacerbated the gap in educational opportunity between rich and poor students, according to several recent studies. Various aspects of this problem are discussed, and six suggestions are provided for promoting equal access to computers. (TE)

The requirements of No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) has presented challenges for schools and districts across the United States such as a new need to focus on test scores and student achievement. While all states, districts, and schools face challenges that require them to adjust the structure and delivery of instruction in their schools,…

Speech recognition technology helps people with disabilities interact with computers more easily. People with motor limitations, who cannot use a standard keyboard and mouse, can use their voices to navigate the computer and create documents. The technology is also useful to people with learning disabilities who experience difficulty with spelling…

This study examined new teachers' use of technology in the classroom. Data were collected from 28 former elementary and middle school majors who were currently teaching in schools near the university they had attended. Teachers completed a survey instrument, and the researcher visited their classrooms. Very few of the teachers had easy access to…

As computers become more prevalent and computer skills more necessary, there continues to be a "digital divide" between those with computer access and skills and those without. These differences are less pronounced in skills where children's access to computers and the Internet are more prevalent. Noting that few studies have focused…

The digital divide is a commonly used term in today's society, but few truly understand the impact that it has on minority students. This issue is one that goes beyond access to technology, but encompasses issues of equity in use. This paper examines the data on home and school computer use by minority students. It discusses the College Reach-Out…

In their 1989 report to the Colorado General Assembly, the Colorado Telecommunications Advisory Commission expressed the widely held belief that regardless of where they live, all Colorodans deserve and can benefit from a statewide telecommunications infrastructure connecting all Colorado schools, libraries, institutions of higher education and…