Good learning experiences ask students to investigate and make sense of the world. While there are many ways to do this, K-12 curriculum has traditionally skewed toward reading and writing to interpret and express students' sense-making. But there is another way. Infographics represent data and ideas visually, in pictures, engaging more parts of…

When it comes to technology, many schools know what they want. They want targeted and scalable solutions that enhance learning and meet the NETS.S. And the teachers in those schools want simple, strategic instructional frameworks for developing their students' basic and digital age skills while meeting diverse learning needs. But as many…

A widespread irony in education is that many districts look at technology only in relation to what the students need. As a result, they often neglect to provide teachers with technology-based learning, even though they expect them to support their students with instructional technology. And when they do offer professional development (PD), they…

No longer do students need to wait for us to be the purveyors of information. They now have the world at their fingertips. Putting a laptop in the hands of every student has far reaching implications on the way we educators have to think about our classrooms. Old models of stand and deliver are no longer effective. We must learn to be facilitators…

Students entering Steve Speier's Spanish class pull their personal laptops from their packs and begin preparing for the lesson. Some review Speier's board notes containing a combination of typed phrases and dozens of handdrawn vocabulary words saved as PDF files from his interactive white board Notebook program. Others don headphones and listen to…

Computer technology has become an indispensable tool in writing. Those of us who have spent any time in schools can attest to the prevalence of word processing, concept mapping, Web editing, and electronic presentation software, all deployed, to a large extent, in the collective effort to enhance student writing. The degree to which such tools…

After decades of research in artificial intelligence (AI) and cognitive psychology, a number of companies have emerged that offer intelligent tutor system (ITS) soft ware to schools. These systems try to mimic the help that a human tutor would provide to an individual student, something nearly impossible for teachers to accomplish in the…

The question of facilitating inquiry in the context of whole-class interactions versus individual work in the laboratory is not a new issue in science education. Science teachers have always been confronted with the question of the value added by the time and expense required for individual work in the science laboratory versus inquiry…

The tool of the future sits on a desk, but what lies behind that bright computer screen? Information floats on the surface, but the author of this article is a teacher who wants to find a way to draw students into an unforgettable learning adventure. A vision is needed, an idea that will enlist motivation and initiate a serious hunger for…

New technologies often assume the form of prior traditions during their infancy. For example, filmed plays known as photoplays were initially produced prior to the development of modern cinema conventions. Similarly, printed books at first assumed many of the characteristics of hand-lettered manuscripts.

Presents seven strategies to assist educators in providing students with a high quality online communication experience: begin with curriculum; spend time planning; encourage a positive social climate; understand the unique nature of online communication; encourage good reading and writing skills; deal with inappropriate behavior and attitudes;…

The theory of multiple intelligences (MI) allows teachers to tap into the strengths of each student and to develop capabilities in novel ways. By weaving together technology, MI, and curriculum, the Hemenway public elementary school (Framingham, Massachusetts) helps students work in their own "magical learning environment" and accomplish the…

Presents an in-depth description of one school's successful online mentoring program which is focused on middle school students reading below grade level. Discusses program specifics; role of college mentors; online discussions; test results; and results summary. Includes a sample calendar of assignments and samples of messages between student and…

A teacher in the English education program at Buffalo State College describes her development of Web-based literature guides for preservice teachers to use in preparation and student teaching and for secondary-level English/language arts teachers to use in their classrooms. Discusses assembling materials for the web guide; an overview of site…

The Center for Technology and Teacher Education at the University of Virginia developed "Kids an Cookies" a free Flash-based materials and software applications to help prepare teachers to use technology to enhance and extend their students' learning of school subjects. Presents the mathematics team set of guidelines to shape the development of…