Considers the concept of virtual reality in terms of more common forms of communication, including the telephone, post office mail, electronic mail, and interactive mail via online conversations and forums. Discussion includes the use of imagination and its role in virtual reality. (LRW)

Presents an overview of telecommunications and its use in the field of education. Topics discussed include conferencing, electronic messaging, distance learning, networking, database searching, and projects relating to educational telecommunications sponsored by the International Council for Computers in Education (ICCE). (LRW)

Provides suggestions for organizing online educational projects. Topics include choosing curriculum-based goals; choosing an activity structure, including interpersonal exchanges, information collections, and problem-solving projects; exploring examples of other online projects; determining details; inviting telecollaborators; effective online…

Discussion of the use of telecommunications in the social studies curriculum focuses on three main areas: (1) searching and reading information in databases, including the appropriate use of commercial database services; (2) electronic mail and bulletin boards; and (3) the role of the telecomputing teacher. (five references) (LRW)

Local area networks (LANs) are systems of computers and peripherals connected together for the purposes of electronic mail and the convenience of sharing information and expensive resources. In planning the design of such a system, the components to consider are hardware, software, transmission media, topology, operating systems, and protocols.…

Describes the use of electronic messaging in elementary and junior high schools in Canada and the United States. Highlights include differences between electronic mail, bulletin board services, and computer mediated conferencing; the role of the teachers; equipment and telephone line considerations; and costs. (LRW)

Six different types of interpersonal exchanges, or educational telecomputing activities that incorporate the use of interpersonal skills are presented: (1) "keypals"; (2) global classrooms; (3) electronic "appearances"; (4) electronic monitoring; (5) question-and-answer services; and (6) impersonations. From this presentation,…

Describes Telecommunications Opportunities for Gifted Learners (TOGL), a state-funded project in Florida that links gifted programs in rural districts. The use of electronic mail and computer conferences is described; teacher education and training needs are discussed; and an example of a lesson plan that integrates online activities is given.…

Discussion of the use of telecommunications highlights projects designed by the New York City Board of Education to investigate telecommunications alternatives for the classroom. Telecommunications systems models are described, including electronic bulletin boards and networking; and instructional models are explained, including computer mediated…

Describes various technologies used in distance education projects in elementary and secondary schools in the United States. Topics discussed include correspondence study; telephone audioconferencing; computer based messaging; audiographic conferencing; teleconferencing; interactive television fixed service (ITFS); satellite broadcast; and…

Discussion of the use of electronic networks for learning activities highlights the Noon Observation Project in which students in various locations measured the length of a noontime shadow to determine the earth's circumference. Electronic pen pals are discussed, and the roles of the network and of the class are described. (LRW)

Based on a needs assessment questionnaire, 13 technology workshops were designed for school personnel. Topics included an introduction; troubleshooting; e-mail and the Internet; ERIC and CD-ROM databases; Microsoft Works; desktop publishing; presentation software; resources on CD-ROM; the X-Press news service; and interactive laser video discs. A…

Describes the Knowledge Gateway Project at Wenatchee (Washington) High School, which combines computer technology with a problem-solving approach to teach communication and information processing skills to at-risk students. Networked Macintosh workstations are described; and the use of electronic mail to communicate both within a local area…

Describes the ScrapBookUSA Writing Project, a computer telecommunications project linking classrooms across the country, and its educational opportunities for the writing and multicultural studies curricula. Examples of Hello letters, student essays, and ScrapBook Chronicles are given to demonstrate the impact a wide audience and immediate…

Multi-Media Detectives was a project where fifth graders in three Michigan school districts were linked to a children's bulletin board. The goal was to have students "think global but link local" by using online resources to search for local facts and local celebrities and to bring them to life via technology. (JMV)