Reports a study that examined the relationship of demographics and computer accessibility variables to special educators' perceived computer competency levels. Surveys of 234 special educators indicated that computer ownership and access to computers were the best predictors of perceived computer competence. The study found that student access to…

Discusses the relationships among bilingual education, biliteracy, diglossia, and native language maintenance. Pedagogical research in Latin American indigenous languages and Navajo indicate that indigenous language literacy instruction and bilingual methods also contribute significantly to literacy development in the national language (English or…

An Australian study of 100 computer using secondary school teachers investigated gender issues in educational computing (physical, environmental, social, and human resource problems and teacher perceptions of collegial help and self-knowledge). The study found that, though barriers to computer integration are fewer, some remain: lack of access,…

Describes a classroom-based research project that studied the development of social skills of eight heterogeneously grouped deaf students, ages 8 and 9. Activities that fostered empathy development are described, as well as ways students learned and applied an understanding of perspectives in communication exchanges, literacy development, and…

Presents advanced rubrics to help schools measure the effectiveness of their teacher training efforts and to guide teachers on their own learning paths. Highlights include instructional software use, information literacy skills, modification of instructional delivery, assessment of student performance, individualization of the educational program,…

Discusses and defines media literacy. Topics include the pervasive influence of television; viewing habits; effects of media illiteracy; media education, including teaching critical viewing skills across the curriculum; media education and citizenship education; and the need for teacher education and community and parental involvement. (LRW)

Describes a pilot computer training program for library staff and patrons at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Reviews components of effective training programs and highlights core computer competencies: operating systems, hardware and software basics and troubleshooting, and search concepts and techniques. Includes an instructional outline and…

Investigates the relationship between users' information-seeking goals and their information-seeking behaviors; focuses on specifying hierarchical levels of user goals. Forty users from academic, public, and special libraries participated. Analysis illustrates how changes in "interactive intentions" are related to information-seeking…

Maintains that French educational policy towards art education is hampered by divergent agendas and competing educational directives. While the Ministry of Education supports "education for all," the Ministry of Culture promotes "education of a cultural elite." Discusses the philosophical and political conflicts that created…

In the Even Start program, parents and children attended school together daily. Reflective logs, personal narratives, interviews, and group discussions revealed a dichotomy between mothers' identities as learners and as parents. Self-realization, dialogue, and caring emerged as primary factors in the development of constructive relationships. (SM)

Discusses the results of a study conducted at the Universiti Malaysia Sarawak that investigated the effects of student characteristics and instructional variables on satisfaction and achievement in a Web-based course. Considers gender, age, scholastic aptitude, learning styles, initial computer skills, time spent on the course, perceptions of…

Explores and enumerates best practice in the upper elementary and middle grades regarding word identification, including phonics and other subskills. Identifies 16 word identification strategies to attain eventual comprehension, including focusing on consonants, word sorting, chunking, and word building. Identifies less effective strategies such…

Native Americans have oral traditions that are distinct from the European literacy consciousness, having different modes of discourse, different kinds of metaphorical thinking, and different conceptions of teaching as storytelling. Storytelling is important in children's education, but to be effective and respectful of Native culture, school…

The activities of a literacy project are described as examples of social constructivism. The role of social and dialogic interactions of teachers and students in literacy communities in which the production, rather than the reproduction, of knowledge is the goal of the instruction is emphasized. Examples of teacher and student dialog are provided.…

Describes a team-taught two-week graduate course on information literacy for elementary and secondary school teachers and librarians. Active, student-centered learning and group assignments develop skills in finding information, analyzing and interpreting it, and putting it to practical use, while team teaching provides a model of collaboration…