Noting that for computers to become an important part of education, they must be in the classroom rather than just in computer labs or media centers, this book focuses on integrating computers into daily classroom instruction. Part 1 of the book contains 18 short essays grouped into 5 chapters: (1) "First Principles" deals with the rationale for computers within classrooms and conclusions reached by research on this issue; (2) "The Resources at Hand" discusses the use of single or multiple computers; (3) "Understanding the Context" is concerned with barriers to integrating computers and integrating students with special needs; (4) "Demystifying the Obvious" deals with software, hardware, and multi-media alternatives; and (5) "Exploiting the Computer's Full Value" discusses the possibilities of planning cooperative learning, accommodating diversity, and promoting parent participation. Each chapter concludes with a case study that illustrates the practical implementation of at least one of the essays in that chapters. Part 2 of the book consists exclusively of practical classroom activities, presented as either a lesson plan, unit plan, a first-person account, or a third-person account. The purposes of the activities range from developing thinking and scientific inquiry skills to developing oral and written expression; physical skills to problem-solving skills; listing skills to number concepts. Provided with the book is a disk of Lesson Planner software, which functions as a tutorial and allows building of lesson plans. (BAC)