Outlines steps and considerations in planning a technology infrastructure for a rural school: the need for a long-term plan; the elements of a well-articulated plan; questions to consider in assessing needs and interests in selected technologies; staff development; software and equipment selection; and funding issues. Lists resources on technology…

The World Wide Web, with its captivating multimedia features and hypertext capabilities, has brought millions of new users to the Internet. Library staff who could create a home page on the Web could present basic information about the library and its services, showcase its resources, create links to quality material inside and outside the…

This book is intended to introduce the basic concepts of connecting computers together and to equip individuals with the technical background necessary to begin constructing small networks. For those already experienced with creating and maintaining computer networks, the book can help in considering the creation of a schoolwide network. The book…

The intent of this publication is to support schools as they connect the vision they have for technology and student learning with the tasks they need to accomplish in order to achieve their vision. Chapter 1 provides an understanding of the origins of "Planning into Practice" and lays the groundwork for how to use the materials. Chapter…

This book provides information and activities to help school administrators, technology coordinators, and curriculum developers to establish a school plan that supports in-class technology usage for students and teachers. Chapter 1 provides the context and rationale for the technology shift suggested in the book. Chapter 2 outlines how crucial…

This publication is based on work conducted at the North Central Regional Educational Laboratory (NCREL), which serves seven states in the Midwest. Part of the national research and development system administered by the Office of Educational Research and Improvement, U.S. Department of Education, the regional educational laboratories provide…

The purpose of this book and accompanying CD-ROM is to provide any library that is undertaking the development of a technology plan with a general introduction to the components of and process for developing a plan, while also providing specific examples of plans that illustrate a variety of approaches. These approaches include stand-alone…

This guide is intended for superintendents and central office staff in small, rural school districts who are considering ways of using technology in the classroom. It provides information about why technology is worth the trouble and what it can accomplish, lays out the basic issues and tasks involved in integrating technology into classroom…

This guide can be used as an assessment, discussion guide, and planning and decision support resource for deans, department chairs, teacher education faculty, their counterparts in the arts and sciences involved in teacher preparation, and teacher education supervisors, as well as the administrators and other PK?12 school personnel with whom they…

This guide is designed to help after-school and in-school programs create and implement high-quality, technology-enriched learning activities. It contains hands-on lessons, worksheets, and sample activities that have proven effective at inspiring young people's curiosity and creativity. Chapter 1 provides an overview of the issues, including…

This guide is designed as a professional development tool for personal use within the context of a schoolwide improvement planning effort to assist individual K-12 classroom teachers who are beginning to integrate technology into their daily practices. Following an introductory section that addresses reasons for using technology, technology within…

This CD-ROM is designed to help school leaders recognize, promote, and evaluate effective technology use in their schools. The CD-ROM is divided into the following seven program areas: (1) "You're the Leader" helps administrators examine their roles as technology leaders and identify barriers to integrating technology into their schools,…

Describes the development of a formula to determine the needed quantity of computers for a school library. Four types of information technology activities (administrative, personal productive, class/group productive, online public access catalog) and several variables (age levels served, campus focus, number of staff, size of student body, average…

In an era when patrons want access to CD-ROM resources but few libraries can afford to buy multiple copies, CD-ROM local area networks (LANs) are emerging as a cost-effective way to provide shared access. To help librarians make informed decisions, this manual offers information on: (1) the basics of LANs, a "local area network primer";…

This paper presents the results of a literature review on educational methodology reforms. The first section discusses five factors in broad-based school reforms: change theory; organizational theory; state/national politics; local politics/governance; and leadership theory. Five types of reforms for school-wide success are described in the second…