Educators and administrators have many things to consider before setting up a distance education facility at their schools. They will first need to decide what type of distance education technology will best benefit their students and schools. Administrators will need to decide if they want to use programming that is locally controlled or…

This publication provides schools and school districts in Wisconsin with guidelines for collaborative planning and ideas for a unified, rather than competing, approach to the delivery of information and technology programming. The chapters cover the following topics: (1) vision and purpose; (2) the collaborative team model, including…

The Benchmark Standards were established by the Massachusetts Department of Education to: bring more districts into the information age; encourage every district in the state to provide an appropriate local infrastructure for information technology; help districts set realistic goals for their Local Technology Plans (LTPs); and ensure that…

Discusses 10 challenges media specialists must overcome to effectively use technology in education. Highlights include people opposed to technology; teacher training to help develop collaborative relationships; establishing and using a comprehensive technology plan; assuming more professional responsibility; and empowerment. (LRW)

Presents a planning model for educational uses of technology that is based on Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Topics include established infrastructure; effective administration; extensive resources; enhanced teaching, including creating distance learning opportunities; empowered students, including evaluation methods and information literacy skills;…

Emphasizes importance of educational technology in classrooms and presents action plan to utilize technology to improve American education. Identifies obstacles preventing utilization of technology to its fullest potential. Highlights leadership efforts of federal government to develop teachers' professional skills with new technologies. Suggests…

Although schools are planning and implementing local area networks and Internet access, acquiring and maintaining technology can be exceptionally costly. Administrators must decide between pedagogical need versus a political, reactive "keeping up with the Joneses" mentality valuing high student-to-computer ratios. Schools need more…

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…

Addresses the issue of how teachers can conduct more efficient Internet searches in order to find sites that are unbiased, reliable, and accurate. Presents the MarcoPolo Project, a partnership among seven leading educational institutions, as a service that provides teachers with credible content through an easy-to-use Web interface. (NB)

Discusses how higher education institutions can develop appropriate and adequate plans that maximize the increase in technology in both administration and teaching; considers the formation of faculty advisory groups for decision making; and describes a Delphi survey of faculty senate leaders about how faculty should be involved in planning for…

Utah's Southeastern Education Service Center has devised a five-phase vision plan for improving the educational technology infrastructure in the southeastern region of the state. The fourth phase involves the creation of the Southeastern Utah Regional Wide Area Network (SURWAN), which will link all K-12 schools to the Internet by 1996. This…

This paper examines systematic policy formulation as it contributes to the strategic planning process for school technology. Policy affecting school technology exists at three distinct levels that correspond with the three general governmental levels: federal, state, and local. The Policy Formulation Model is a process that can be used to guide…

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 creation of the Nevada Education Reform Act of 1997 (NERA) by the state legislature placed an emphasis on education, including technology. NERA supports a standards-based curriculum that focuses on improving student achievement and the integration of technology into the classroom. The intent of the legislation was to make technology a part…

This progress report documents accomplishments and activities for September 2000 through August 2002 related to the State of Texas Master Plan for Educational Technology 2000-2003. The first section presents background, goals, and recommendations as adopted by the Education Technology Coordinating Council (ETCC) in December 1999. The second…