Educators must adapt the way they think about change if they and their students are to see the benefits of instructional technology. This new paradigm is called systemic change, and combines general systems theory and what has traditionally been called diffusion of innovations. This paper explores some of the lessons it holds for integration of…

This issue of "TAP into Learning" focuses on technology-assisted learning activities for students, in particular on those that use spreadsheets. Articles include: "Using What Learners Know"; "Activity: Grade 7 and 8 Math, Social Studies and Language Arts"; "Managing Growth: Collaborative Decision-Making in Urban Planning"; "Spreadsheets"; "Getting…

Many educators have concerns about integrating appropriate software in the pre-school curriculum and about what to consider when selecting this technology. This paper presents a criteria for selecting appropriate software for early childhood education. The software that is selected should allow children to explore it and the programs should be…

Brazilian engineering schools are under a strict program to reengineer their courses with the financial support of the federal agencies. At the electronic engineering department at the University of Sao Paulo, this process started by modifying the Basic Electricity and Electronic Laboratories. This paper describes the new structure of these labs…

This study explored the use of an inquiry-based interactive multimedia program to identify the process by which students' higher order thinking skills developed in a science classroom. Videotapes of students' interactions with computers were analyzed to identify the use of higher order thinking skills. The Macintosh multimedia research package…

This booklet represents an effort to combine research findings, strategies, teaching and parenting tips, activities, career profiles, and print and online information that can help make technology more accessible to girls. Chapters include: "Why a Focus on Girls & Technology: New Priorities"; "Girls & Technology: Different…

This paper describes implementation of one private university's strategic plan which includes provision of laptop computers to all entering freshmen and faculty since fall 1996. The background and context of the development of this plan is summarized, as are the 10 assessment instruments, both standard and in-house, being used to measure the…

These 20 papers were selected from those presented at the 10th International Conference on College Teaching and Learning. Papers have the following titles and authors: (1) "Case It! A Project to Integrate Collaborative Case-Based Learning into International Undergraduate Biology Curricula" (Bergland, Klyczek, Lundeberg, Mogen, Johnson); (2) "The…

This document explains the importance of problem solving in the high school physics curriculum and points out the lack of opportunities in textbooks for students to practice their problem solving skills. The necessity of having introductory-level work texts cannot be ignored and having a work-text book would be beneficial from the teachers' point…

This CD-ROM is an educational CD-ROM aimed at classroom audiences in 5th grade and above. Using QuickTime Virtual Reality (QTVR), the Boreal Virtual Forest is designed so that students are able to see views from inside the central hardwood forest and look up or down or spin around 360 degrees. The program allows students to become familiar with…

The electronic connection of computers and databases has created an "e" factor that has transformed the way people interact with each other, especially in doing business, providing services, and processing information. The chapters in this collection address key issues in the planning, campus preparation, development, and implementation…

In 1999, Georgetown College (Kentucky) established the Information Technology Literacy Program that requires new students to demonstrate basic proficiencies in the use of information-technology resources in several proficiency areas (i.e., Internet, library Web-based databases and online catalogs, e-mail, word processing, spreadsheets, databases,…

Courses delivered over the World Wide Web can help states meet the academic needs of all students. Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) states are creating state virtual schools to support and manage the efficient, effect use of Web-based courses. Florida and Kentucky have invested significant funds, personnel, and time, and Maryland, Texas,…

The Center for Children and Technology is investigating issues of gender and diversity in how students, particularly girls, engage with technology. It studies how people construct meaning in relation to different technological environments, examining social and cultural barriers affecting people's engagement with technology. It also investigates…

Here are the strategies elementary and secondary level teachers, library media specialists, and computer coordinators need to support and enrich their curriculum utilizing the Internet. Topics, suggested activities, and handouts follow most state curricula and require little or no modifications. Each unit plan provides step-by-step instructions,…