Describes how teachers can use monthly newsletters to build relationships with parents, explaining how to divide up the work; use a desktop publisher; standardize features within the newsletter; keep the newsletter short but informative; use the World Wide Web for material; and enlist parent and student volunteers for a portion of the work. (SM)

Presents rates of student computer use by grade level, frequency of use, reason for use, and family income. In 1996, 79% of 4th graders, 91% of 8th graders, and 96% of 11th graders were using a computer at home or at school to write stories and papers. (Author/SLD)

Attempts to extend the range of application of the emergent perspective to middle and high school classrooms. Identifies some practices rooted in such rich environments from which several sociomathematical norms stemmed. Concludes that sociomathematical norms do not rise from verbal interactions only but also from computer manipulations as…

Discusses the place of new technology in education, examining what computer literacy amounts to in the age of the Internet. After noting practical problems with the vision of schools online, the paper considers apparently contrasting responses to new technology which emphasize respectively the reductionism of information technology and the…

Examines the online communications behavior of students with high degrees of writing apprehension as they communicated with both familiar and unknown audiences via Internet newsgroups. Finds that low-apprehensive writers tend to exhibit similar communication strategies in both types of newsgroups, but high-apprehensive writers contributed more and…

Considers how guided student internships are increasingly recognized as important elements of an academic program combining classroom and experiential learning. Discusses how working students might find the potentially valuable internship experience as another burden added to their already busy lives. Describes the format, components, and…

Presents a general framework for evaluating the effectiveness of educational technology in enhancing student learning and achievement. Describes the following components and their relationships: instructional objectives, learning domain, learner profile, task characteristics, grouping, delivery system, control, presence, media, connectivity, and…

Examines the relationship between computer use (numbers of computers used for instruction) in Florida schools and student conduct, focusing on these conduct violations related to schooling: assault/battery/robbery, breaking and entry/theft/vandalism, and disorderly conduct/fighting/harassment. Results revealed decreases in conduct violations with…

Presents tips on how to create instructional Web sites with accessibility in mind and how to easily check existing sites for accessibility, based on a study of inaccessible Web-based components at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Provides a list of Web sites focusing on accessibility. (AEF)

Reviews research on computer programming and discusses implications for future research across various computer applications. Suggests future research needs, including expanding knowledge of what students/teachers learn in various environments, and investigating how unique features of various programming environments interact with goals and…

Describes a computer software review procedure centering around a form that considers the use of the computer software in the early-childhood classroom and aids educators in selecting software that is age- and individually appropriate. The form emphasizes reviewing the software's potential for encouraging student engagement and enhancing skills in…

Identifies characteristics of mathematically rich, equitable game software for middle school students. Introduces and compares two games called Math Blaster and Logical Journey of the Zoombinis. Contains 15 references. (ASK)

Many students with learning difficulties have trouble solving mathematical word problems. Presents DISCOVER, an intelligent tutoring system that teaches students this task with less failure and frustration. Features a review of literature on word problem instruction, an explanation of intelligent tutoring systems, and a description of DISCOVER.…

Pilots and evaluates a math activity initially utilizing M&Ms as manipulatives, then progressing to computer software math activities, in five early childhood classrooms. Concludes that there were no significant differences between learning tasks, monolingual students vs. bilingual students, and manipulative (hands-off) activities vs. computer…

Shares observations about implementation issues that have emerged during efforts to find and evaluate computer-based solutions for students' learning and studying problems. Notes these issues fall into five topic areas: access issues, motivational issues, curriculum integration issues, labeling issues, and funding issues. Describes each issue,…