This book features more than 25 articles and essays that discuss the rewards and challenges of integrating technology into schools, as well as short editorials from technology experts, educators, and cultural critics. Digital technologies are reshaping the way education is practiced, raising many questions: How can we better prepare teachers for the challenges of high-tech classrooms? How can educators tap into the vast resources of the Internet to enhance curriculum? What can be done to close the "digital divide?" This special report from the "Harvard Education Letter" features new articles and essays that address these questions and discuss the rewards and challenges of integrating technology into schools. Topics include professional development, equity issues, building a technology program, distance learning, girls and computers, special needs, using technology to teach science, math, reading, and writing, and much more. "The Digital Classroom" also includes short editorials by technology experts, educators, and cultural critics about the role and impact of technology in schools. The book contains a Preface by David T. Gordon, followed by articles and essays with respective authors divided over six main headings: (1) "The Digital Classroom": Article 1: Introduction: An Invitation to Ask "What if…?" (Andrea Oseas); Article 2: Myths and Realities about Technology in K-12 Schools (Glenn M. Kleiman). (2) "Learning and Technology": Article 3: High-Tech Kids: Trailblazers or Guinea Pigs? (Joan Westreich); Commentary: Essay 1: "Technologies don't change schools--caring, capable people do" (George Brackett); (Essay 2) "Technology is not just a tool" (Edward Miller). Article 4: Can Technology Exploit Our Many Ways of Knowing? (Howard Gardner); Article 5: New Independence for Special Needs Students (Karen Kelly). Commentary: (Essay 3) "Some assessments treat learning-disabled students unfairly" (Thomas Hehir). Article 6: Distance Learning in the Digital Age (Natalie Engler); Article 7: The Global Schoolhouse (Wambui Githiora-Updike). (3) "Teaching and Technology": Article 8: A New Culture of Teaching for the 21st Century (Stone Wiske); Article 9: Preparing Teachers for the High-Tech Classroom (Clorinda Valenti). Commentary: Essay 4: "The big question is how to show up without showing up" (David Perkins). Article 10: Science: Venturing Online to Teach and Learn (Alan Feldman); Article 11: Math: Calculating the Benefits of Cybersessions (Gene Klotz); Article 12: History: Mining for Gold in a Mountain of Resources (Bill Tally and Melissa Burns); Article 13: Literacy: Charlotte's Web Meets the World Wide Web (Julie M. Wood). (4) Managing Technology: Article 14: A Tech Coordinator's Road Map for the Information Highway (Shelley Chamberlain); Article 15: Partnerships: Making the Connection (Karen Kelly). Commentary: Essay 5: "Each community has a wealth of technical expertise" (Karen Smith). (5) Equity and Technology: Article 16: The Real Digital Divide: Quality Not Quantity (Maisie McAdoo). Commentary: Essay 6: "Internet content should reflect children's diversity of needs and interests" (Milton Chen). Article 17: The Gender Gap: Why Do Girls Get Turned Off to Technology? (Karen Kelly); Article 18: A Title IX for the Technology Divide? (Margaret Riel). (6) "Looking Ahead": Article 19: A New Century Demands New Ways of Learning (Chris Dede). Commentary: Essay 7: "Is being a good citizen only about being a worker and consumer?" (Larry Cuban); Essay 8: "This is Dewey's vision revisited" (David Williamson Shaffer). The books also contains the sections: Notes on Contributors, and Who We Are.