Traces the genealogy of the people who established, refined, defended, and maintained the study of literature for adolescents, including the pioneering contributions of Dora V. Smith starting in the 1930s. Contains 10 references to articles that look back on YA literature and its pioneers; and annotations of 10 new or overlooked YA books worth…

Argues that, by giving it some time and some patience, and by listening to what students have to say, this "techno stuff" (which some teachers resist or fear) may in time become a teacher's best friend. Discusses the many advantages offered by integrating computers into English lessons. (SR)

Asks what, why, and how English educators should test students in middle, junior, and senior high schools. Argues that they must consider the consequences of their testing choices. Argues that the ethical answer is to always teach the child. (SR)

Discusses eight ways technology can improve teachers' effectiveness, students' quality of learning, and the management of time. Offers a response from a colleague outlining eight good reasons to move cautiously. (SR)

Argues that, as educators embrace new technology, it is important to look at the tradeoffs. Proposes and discusses five "common denominators" that cut across media and communications technologies, past and future. Offers generalizations about common elements in all language that permit analysis and critique of the new media and help students…

Discusses four questions that can help teachers decide how, when, and whether to change a unit, lesson, or activity to integrate computer technology: (1) will the technology enhance classroom conversation?; (2) will it validate the work of the classroom?; (3) will it validate the work of the individual?; and (4) is it worth the time and effort?…

Discusses 10 obstacles a teacher might encounter when incorporating technology into the classroom. Argues that with technology, like any other teaching strategy, teachers just need a few strategies that work for them, which they vary and adapt as needed. Lists some small, medium, and large projects using technology in the English classroom that…

Describes a project which used email to link the author's English classroom with classrooms in three other states so that students could discuss Zora Neale Hurston's novel "Their Eyes Were Watching God." Discusses email as a distinct genre of writing with rules, characteristics, and even an aesthetic of its own. Offers a student-generated list…

Reports on technology used by the author's high school blind and low vision students at the Arizona School for the Blind. Notes common difficulties blind readers have getting access to books and materials, and relates her early efforts to build a classroom library. Discusses note takers for less proficient Braille readers. Outlines the Braille…

Describes a project that connected a ninth-grade English classroom in Colorado with English classes grades 7-12 in remote, rural Alaska and a poet in Vermont in an online poetry exchange. Describes how it has changed the entire atmosphere of the rural Alaskan school, and turned into a life-altering event for students, staff members, parents, and…

Describes how two colleagues, an English teacher and a German teacher, taught interdisciplinary poetry units using multimedia and hypermedia, based on using computers as cognitive learning tools rather than as "teaching machines." Describes the interdisciplinary poetry project which focused on animals and on human interaction with animals.…

Argues that students develop new reading strategies in order to construct meaning from electronic text. Discusses why reading electronic text is different, and argues that there is historical precedence for this shifting role of the reader. Outlines strategies for helping students reflect on the differences between hypertext and traditional text…

Describes a CD-ROM adventure story written by the author to educate her students about the word relationships of synonyms and antonyms. Discusses how this interactive medium put a different twist on each of the stages of the writing process itself. Relates how two students enthusiastically used the program, and were inspired to write one of their…

Discusses six strategies to help both students and teachers learn to make wise use of information on the World Wide Web: teaching the value of key word skills; using online sources available in the media center; creating pathfinders; teaching students sound searching skills that include Boolean logic; directing students to the best search engines;…

Describes how students in the author's eleventh-grade American literature classes, in groups of three, brought a book, short story, literary character, or historical epoch to life by capturing its essence on video. Suggests these student-produced literary documentaries crossed many disciplines and engaged students thoroughly, while engendering a…