In this article, the author talks about how researchers do not communicate their research very widely and academics aren't aware of most of it. Due to that, little knowledge of the research is passed on to teachers and administrators in public schools. The author is tired of educators' media-related dumbness. He does not understand why every…

Teachers in the author's graduate classes often say how much they would like to have a document camera in their classrooms. Since such a camera typically costs about $800, it is unlikely that many teachers will have their wish come true. In this column the author describes a simple solution: just make your own. He also looks at the issue of…

Stand still and look until you really see. These simple, but provocative, words were the theme of a 30-year-old environmental education program called the Environmental Studies Project. Funded by the National Science Foundation, the project was headed by an innovative educator, Bob Samples. Over the last three decades or so, these simple words…

Although the terms typeface, typeface family, typeface classification, font, and font family are often misused, they do have different meanings. A typeface is a particular design of type. A typeface family is a group of typefaces that have a similar design heritage or style, say, from original work done by a particular Italian master designer. A…

In this article, the author discusses how there are advantages and disadvantages to using an Internet News Reader instead of a Web browser. The major advantage is that one can read the headlines and short summaries of news articles from dozens of sources quickly. Another advantage the author points out to news readers is that one gets a short…

The Internet was designed as an open system that promoted the two-way flow of information. In other words, everything that is sent has a return address called an IP or Internet Protocol address of the form: 000.11.222.33. Whenever you connect to a website, the site learns your IP address. It also learns the type of computer you are using, the…

In this article, the author touches on the ways that technology can come to the aid of teachers with students who don't speak English. He discusses different word processors that successfully translate foreign text.

The absence of common sense in the world of technology continues to amaze the author. Things that seem so logical to just aren nott for many people. The installation of Voice-over IP (VoIP, with IP standing for Internet Protocol) in many school districts is a good example. Schools have always had trouble with telephones. Many districts don't even…

There is a lot of software available for young children, but there are not many applications designed especially for them. This situation may be about to change with the release of BumperCar and a new version of KidPix, both of which recently earned awards from MacWorld magazine. In this article, the author describes this new software and how it…

Describes computer-adaptive tests and computer-based tests used in improvement-referenced evaluation. Reviews tests developed by the Northwest Evaluation Association and Lexia. (PKP)

Describes national study of the attitudes and behaviors of middle and high school students who use the Internet. Finds that Internet-savvy students use the Internet as a virtual book and reference library, a tutor and study shortcut, a study group, a guidance counselor, and a locker, backpack, and notebook. Offers several explanations about the…

Describes the status of the K20 initiative, efforts to extend the advantages of the high-speed Internet2 (largely for research universities) to K-12 schools, state education networks, and teaching-oriented universities. Includes cost and requirements to join the initiative. (PKP)

Describes examples of "disruptive technologies," some of which may affect teachers and students, such as Instant Messaging and CDN (Content Delivery Network). (PKP)

Describes educational resources available as free downloads on the Internet. Includes, for example, websites for downloads of the "Digest of Education Statistics 2001," ERIC Digests, and other educational resources available in .pdf format from such organizations as the Educational Testing Service, Phi Delta Kappa, and the Association of…

Argues that 1998 Digital Millennium Copyright Act, providing increased protection against unauthorized access to copyrighted electronic media, and the Sonny Bono Copyright Term Extension Act, extending the term of most copyrighted books, unduly burden users of electronic media and books. Discusses the negative impact of recent federal laws to…