Responds to doubts expressed by critics of media and technology in education, specifically contentions that no data supports the conclusion that technology causes gains in achievement, that school districts cut programs to make room for computers with no evidence they improve teaching and learning, and that computers are tools to learn from rather…

Describes the Iowa Chemistry Education Alliance (ICEA), a consortium of four chemistry instructors from high schools, members of the faculty at Iowa State University, and consultants from an Iowa Area Education Agency. Contains 21 references. (DDR)

Draws upon the metaphor of "apprenticeship" to explain how individual cognitive development of children and adults alike can be enhanced by mentoring relationships within a particular educational "culture." Proposes that computers and related technologies can be instrumental in creating socially interactive and reflective learning communities.…

Electronic focus groups with professors that explored their attitudes toward instructional technology provided data for a theoretical framework. Findings indicated that they have concerns about the ability of such technology to enhance student learning, and many view it simply as a tool for information dissemination and not as a networking medium.…

Describes classroom technology initiatives at three universities: McGill in Montreal, and Emory and Georgia Tech in Atlanta. The offerings include whiteboard technology, in which notes written on an electronic board are captured and saved in digital form for distribution to students; digital video; Internet connections; and automated control of…

University portals provide a new computerized interface between colleges and constituent groups. This article discusses: campus portals and possible features they may contain, nine strategies for portal projects, collaborative mechanisms to develop and implement portal projects, criteria for determination of campus portal readiness, potential…

The steps of the "Big Six Skills" approach make an excellent framework for highlighting skills educators need to take advantage of the Internet. There are several considerations-technical, ethical, and educational-to examine concurrently, which this article does in the context of the Big Six Skills: Task Definition, Information-Seeking…

Describes using a computer statistical software package called Minitab to model the sensitivity of several microbes to the disinfectant NaOCl (Clorox') using the Kirby-Bauer technique. Each group of students collects data from one microbe, conducts regression analyses, then chooses the best-fit model based on the highest r-values obtained.…

Examines student success in a freshman chemistry course that involves students who are at risk of failure. (Contains 14 references.) (YDS)

Discusses four issues that should guide the process of selecting technology for history and social studies classrooms: why use technology in these classrooms; what works best; what hazards should be avoided; and how the adoption and development of best practices can be encouraged and supported. Six recommendations for future efforts are presented.…

Examines changes in experience and confidence among university students in Iceland taking their first Internet course between 1994 and 2000. Discusses results of time series that show that the number of participants with prior experience has increased and makes recommendations for course content, including advanced skills in Internet use.…

Explores how computer technology can help improve how and what children learn in school. Highlights several ways technology can enhance how children learn by supporting four fundamental characteristics of learning (active engagement, group participation, frequent interaction and feedback, and connections to real-world contexts). Additional…

Surveyed Internet-using children about their experiences with and perceptions of computer technology. Respondents valued the role of computers in their lives for entertainment, accomplishing goals, and becoming competent and empowered. They believed computers and the Internet improved their lives. Most children had computers at school, but nearly…

This article reviews "Learning with Technology: A Constructivist Perspective" (Jonassen, Peck, and Wilson), which presents ways for students to learn with the latest technology in a constructivist framework. Chapters describe the creation of a constructivist learning environment and the use of technology to help students develop intellectually and…

Discusses using web sites to develop active inquiry lessons that mimic some of the tasks and thought processes scientists use everyday. The exercises available at the web sites are designed to develop science process skills and convey basic course content. Exercises stress the interactions between the ocean and the atmosphere. (Author/SAH)