An assessment of the information needs of providers of literacy services examined whether these needs could be met through an electronic information and communications system (EICS). The needs assessment was sent to 300 literacy providers; 134 responded. Responses indicated that literacy providers would benefit from a central, easily accessible…

Analysis of conversations among teachers and researchers who are participants in a national computer network, the School Renewal Network, provides insights into cooperative learning and its implementation, as well as the role that collegial electronic networks can play in school reform. This paper presents data collected from a small group…

Microcomputers have revolutionized distance education in virtually every area. Used alone, personal computers provide students with a wide range of utilities, including word processing, graphics packages, and spreadsheets. When linked to a mainframe computer or connected to other personal computers in local area networks, microcomputers can…

Electronic networking is communication between two or more people that involves one or more telecommunications media. There is electronic networking software available for most computers, including IBM, Apple, and Radio Shack personal computers. Depending upon the sophistication of the hardware and software used, individuals and groups can…

Describes different kinds of student correspondence over the writing center network at a state university. Argues that the interaction between student and text via machine promotes good writing and improved motivation, even when the subject matter is as extracurricular as dating. Includes messages from student to student, student to teacher, and…

Discusses some of the uses of teleconferencing for administrators, teachers, and students. Explains the basic concepts behind teleconferencing, providing examples of online systems and their potential for use by educators. Describes some advantages and disadvantages for both educators and students in utilizing this technology. (TW)

Describes BreadNet, a computer network linking Middlebury College English teachers, their associates, and students. Network extends to rural English teachers and their K-8 students. BreadNet used for student pen pal program, teacher teleconferencing, information access. Also describes BreadNet's problems and future possibilities. (TES)

Discusses the role of communications technologies in distance education; the communication needs of distance education; problems confronting New South Wales (Australia) in providing distance education on the primary and secondary levels; and solutions to those problems by way of technology. The specific case of an electronic mail system is…

This paper describes a preservice health education course for elementary educators that incorporated a technology component to help the students gain computer literacy. All students received instructional computer accounts and had access to a class bulletin board. One class session focused on learning the systems. Throughout the semester, students…

This guide addresses the needs of those teachers from the literacy field who are just beginning to explore the Internet as an exciting medium to enhance learning. Chapters 1-3, "Internet Basics," offer a brief introduction to what the Internet is (e-mail, mailing lists, newsgroups, File Transfer Protocol, World Wide Web), how to get…

This study examined the utility of electronic mail (e-mail) as an instructional tool for limited-English-proficient (LEP) adult females who have made little progress in learning writing in English as a Second Language (ESL). Six subjects, aged 30-50 years, enrolled in a university ESL program produced 25 e-mail exchanges with the research over a…

The use of computerized concordances in second language teaching is discussed, drawing on the results of a study undertaken in a teaching seminar. In the study, a corpus of 401 English sentences from electronic mail (e-mail) texts written by American pupils to a German school were analyzed with an electronic concordancer and compared with 326…

This digest explores uses of the Internet for early childhood educators. The first section discusses six popular features of the Internet: (1) electronic mail, which provides educators with a worldwide group of peers with whom to share information; (2) Internet discussion groups, which provide users with the opportunity to be part of electronic…

This paper describes a study that used WebCT Bulletin Board, a program for breaking down geographical barriers to collaborating in distance education. Participants were preservice teachers, mentor physical educators, and university professors. WebCT was used to support electronic bulletin board communication. Students utilized WebCT's internal…

This document reports results of an online survey that examined practices and procedures in the management of electronic resources in 65 academic library reference departments. Responses are related to: (1) student population; (2) library use by community people; (3) number of public access workstations, workstations with World Wide Web access,…