Videogames challenge our notions of identity, creativity, and moral value, and provide a powerful new avenue for teaching and learning. This book is a rich and provocative guide to the role of interactive media in cultural learning. It searches for specific ways to interpret videogames in the context of human experience and in the field of…

This work presents the analysis of the 2001 Brazilian Basic Education Evaluation System (SAEB) achievement exam. The SAEB tested 4th, 8th, and 11th grade students, in mathematics and reading (Portuguese). We classified the students into seven socioeconomic classes, and for each class, compared the test results according to frequency of computer…

1:1 laptop programs, in which every student is provided with a personal computer to use during the school year, permit increased and routine use of powerful, user-friendly computer-based tools. Growing numbers of 1:1 programs are reshaping the roles of teachers and learners in science classrooms. At the Denver School of Science and Technology, a…

One component of a project assessing the needs of minority colleges and universities in educational computing, this study focused on computer access and applications at minority institutions as well as their degree programs related to computer science. Four aspects of educational computing at minority institutions were examined: (1) degree…

This article describes: the specific obstacles to complete accessibility of the disabled to computer technology; the role of adaptive devices in the use of computer technology; the development of these devices; types, descriptions, and classifications of adaptive devices; and recommendations for practice and future research. (Author/CB)

Professional education is increasingly facing accessibility challenges with the emergence of webbased learning. This paper summarizes related U.S. legislation, standards, guidelines, and validation tools to make web-based learning accessible for all potential learners. We also present lessons learned during the implementation of web accessibility…

The development history of an E-learning project in United Arab Emirates has been discussed in this paper. Much advice is taken into consideration when launching its own broad-based IT systems. Though the future is bright to develop the instructional technology efficiently in this area, there are still some challenges to overcome.

The life and activities of every man in the transitional period from the second to the third millennium has been characterized by huge changes that resulted from scientific and technological revolution in which dominates a highly developed IT-Communicational Technology. This paper concludes that to attain IT-literacy and computer literacy would…

This report describes one group of nonprofit organizations that provide free civil legal assistance to qualifying low-income people. Between 1997-2001, legal services programs made significant strides in using technology to improve services. In the mid-1990s, they began using new technologies on an increasingly regular basis. However, few had…

This literature review examines the research on the effectiveness of strategies to increase access to technology in different U.S. communities. Issues include not only how different groups and communities access hardware, but also how they organize and interpret activities and social interactions around technology, their own perceived control over…

The Internet is a growing source of information for persons worldwide, but for many people with disabilities the Internet can be a confusing jumble of images, frames, scripts, and colors that make little sense. Although learning how to make Web pages accessible to all takes some effort, it is effort well spent for one very good reason:…

The purpose of this paper is to critically re-examine the popular concept of a developing "digital divide." Based on qualitative studies of the computer practices of two Mexicano families resident in California, the paper argues with Warschauer (2001) that the "digital divide" should be seen as a continuum of varying degrees of…

This report discusses innovative uses of information technology by community based organizations, examining how to develop a comprehensive policy agenda for bridging the digital divide. It begins by presenting background information on the digital divide as context for understanding the organizational divide. Next, it discusses challenges facing…

This report provides preliminary findings and a summary of study activities for Stage I of a project that examined public library Internet services that could impact the Digital Divide. The first section discusses the E-rate program and the Digital Divide, including closing the gap in the Digital Divide and public library Internet connectivity and…

This policy report provides a view of the issues concerning the effectiveness of technology in its role to enhance education. This report is intended for use by educational leaders and policymakers who are concerned with making optimal use of technology in the schools. This report: (1) Focuses on issues that need to be considered as the impact of…