Now that the Internet has increased the potential for deception and misinformation among larger numbers of people, consumer education has a new role to play in helping people develop the skills needed to deal with the challenges of the Information Age. In the current information environment, consumers need the blend of skills and abilities that…

This study examined the effectiveness of an educational computing course on preservice teachers' computer use and attitudes toward computers in education. The study used data from 16 (12 female, 4 male) preservice teachers who attended the University of Southern California. Results indicated that teachers' prior computer experience shapes their…

In 2005, the Ministerial Council on Education, Employment, Training and Youth Affairs (MCEETYA) conducted an assessment of Year 6 and Year 10 students across Australia to assess their proficiency in ICT literacy. The 2005 ICT literacy assessment instrument consisted of seven discrete thematic modules. One module, the General Skills Test, included…

Survey of 141 rural special education teachers from Washington State indicated that teachers were unfamiliar with telecomputer networks and their potential use in the classroom, rarely used computer technology at home or at school, and perceived lack of knowledge as the biggest obstacle to using telecomputer networks and resources in the…

Digital literacy, the ability to understand, evaluate, and integrate information in multiple, computer-delivered formats, is a critical skill. A multimedia computer with an Internet connection allows people to construct information from around the world. Virtual instruction is best used to supplement, not replace classroom teachers. Educators…

A survey of 185 secondary mathematics teachers investigated their perceptions of expertise and curricular justifications for the classroom use of databases, spreadsheets, Logo and BASIC. The study determined that teachers who used software regularly tended to have shorter lengths of service, better qualifications, and were more likely to be male.…

Reports on a study of the effects of the curriculum material used and of teaching behavior in "Information and Computer Literacy," a new course introduced in the Netherlands. Suggests that education can diminish but not entirely eradicate gender-related ideas about computers. Includes statistical and tabular data. (MJP)

Notes that rapid introduction of information and communication technologies in United Kingdom schools, along with government-mandated curriculum requirements, has not been matched by growth in practitioners' understanding of appropriate ways to use the technology. Examines the successful implementation of technology in early childhood settings…

Describes the components of Singapore's Masterplan for Information Technology (IT) in Education, which lays out a comprehensive strategy for creating an IT-based teaching and learning environment in every school. Discusses the impact on childhood learning and on the teaching staff, highlighting the experience of one of the demonstration schools as…

Explores issues related to the use of technology in Indian schools, drawing on information from a variety of sources, such as interviews with parents and teachers, school visits, government information, and magazine and journal articles. Examines India's cultural and educational environments; diversity of parents' and educators' attitudes about…

Investigates the implementation of a project for fostering information and communication technology (ICT)-based integrated learning environments in Hong Kong schools. Overall, effective ICT integration requires substantial thinking about curricular practice and appropriate teacher training. ICT must provide students with varied experiences and…

A University of Melbourne (Australia) study investigated the computer experience of students entering the university and their computer experiences in an introductory course in communication skills. Subjects were 45 students in four classes. The study examined how and where students used computers, computer use in other university courses,…

Presents results of a citation analysis of works involving computer applications to education and discusses changing characteristics of the literature over time. Fifty-six frequently cited works are grouped into a taxonomy of 14 topics under four majors themes: implementation; research, development, and evaluation; learning and human cognition;…

Summarizes results of a nationwide survey of teachers of pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade about their attitudes toward computers in the classroom. Topics addressed include the possible effects of computers on dropout rates, literacy, and discipline problems; student motivation and skill development; equity of access; curriculum and…

Presents results of the annual survey of state education departments, which is conducted to provide an assessment of interest in and commitment to educational computing in elementary and secondary schools. Highlights include state funding; requirements for computer courses; hardware and software policies; additional technology usage; and teacher…