The World Summit on the Information Society will be held in two phases: Geneva, December 10-12, 2003 and Tunis in 2005. The Summit began as an initiative of the 1998 ITU Plenipotentiary Conference when it was recognized that the gap between information "haves" and "have nots" was increasing while at the same time…

Describes the access to and use of computers in homes, schools, and classrooms by kindergarten children and first graders. Includes examination of data by selected characteristics of children, teachers, and classrooms. Data are from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Kindergarten Class of 1998-1999. (SLD)

Considers the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) report on Internet access and the rapidly growing importance of Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) in education. Highlights include school access to the Internet; classroom access; types of connections; home access; special hardware and software for students with disabilities; and…

Discusses models of home educational computing that are linked to learning in school and recommends the need for research that addresses the home as a computer-based learning environment. Topics include a history of research on educational computing at home; technological infrastructure, including software and compatibility; Internet access;…

Presents information about the average age of school buildings, date of last major building renovation, and the relationship of building condition to Internet access. (Author/SLD)

A study of computer access in 85 Florida and Georgia secondary classrooms showed that the disparity between reform rhetoric and reality is staggering. There are precious few computers accessible to students, fewer Internet-ready computers, and large numbers of teachers who had never been trained to log on. (11 References) (MLH)

Discusses trends in the availability of computers and the Internet in private schools and related issues such as support for and instructional use of these resources. Includes selected comparisons with public schools. Data are from a survey of the Fast Response Survey System. (Author/SLD)

Describes the guide to technology resources and evaluations of information technology innovation for higher education institutions that is available on the Web or in a printed version published by EDUCAUSE. Offers information on four key areas: academic experience; administrative experience; social experience, including computer access, and…

Describes innovative programs developed at the Danbury (Connecticut) Public Library to connect kids to the World Wide Web. Highlights include how to select appropriate Web sites; examples of good Web sites, some of which are interactive; planning for technology failures; and involving parents. (LRW)

Electronic technology has transformed education systems over the past 30 years. Generally speaking, technology has been an incredible benefit for individuals with disabilities. However, the use of technology, particularly in education, has been sometimes discriminatory toward those who are unable to interact with it in the standard ways…

This paper examines the use of instructional technology for college preparation programs. Over the last decade, the proliferation of personal computers and internet access has led to the widespread adoption of instructional technology in all educational sectors. This paper provides a typology of instructional technology specific to college…

Today's incoming freshmen, born in 1988, have never known a time when the Internet and personal computers were not ubiquitous. They expect "what I want, when I need it, wherever I happen to be, on whatever workstation I have available." Many industries already meet this demand--entertainment (legal or pirated), cable TV, digital video recorders,…

Finding ways to bring effective computer-based behavioral interventions to those with limited access to technology is a continuing challenge for health educators. Computer kiosks placed in community settings may help reach such populations. The "Reflections of You" kiosk generates individually tailored magazines on breast cancer and…

This paper examines the evidence for the digital divide based on gender. An overview of research published in the last 20 years draws to the conclusion that females are at a disadvantage relative to men when learning about computers or learning other material with the aid of computer-assisted software. The evidence shows that the digital divide…

There are a variety of different approaches to providing virtual education and significant program differences. This Issues Brief describes a process all virtual education programs should undertake to help best ensure all students have access to the educational opportunities provided by the program. The focus of this Issues Brief is to…