Index: Educational Technology

What we need to know

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research agenda State to State

research agenda

Foster, W. Tad (1996). A Research Agenda for Technology Education. Research Brief. Technology Teacher, v56 n1 p31-33 Sep 1996. Attendees at a symposium and a survey of 40 researchers and leaders identified a macroagenda for technology education research, what would be ideal, and existing roadblocks. Highest-rated topics included integration, technology education as general education, rationale, effectiveness in delivering technological literacy, nature of and need for technological literacy, technological impacts, applied instructional techniques, effective instruction, and definition of key constructs. (JOW)

State to State

Sox, Charlene W. (Dec 1996). Telecommunications: Does It Make a Difference in the Classroom? ([Research]; [Conference Paper] No. (ED403880) Telecommunications applications are becoming increasingly prevalent in schools at all levels. Teachers and students studying to become teachers must be knowledgeable about technology, its applications, and how it will affect instruction now and in the future. A survey of approximately 500 public K-12 schools in North Carolina was conducted to determine the current use of technology, especially telecommunications applications, in schools, including the extent to which respondents have developed and implemented plans that incorporate technology applications into school programs and courses, the equipment that is used in teaching technology courses, and how technology is used for curriculum development. The survey achieved a 54.5% return rate (n=272). Highlights of respondents' answers revealed that: (1) 99% reported that their school district has a technology plan; (2) 80% have short-term objectives for telecommunications; (3) 42% have conducted a needs assessment to determine readiness for telecommunications applications; (4) 53% indicated lack of funds to purchase needed hardware and software; (5) 18% of elementary and 66% of high schools reported six or more computers with printers per classroom; (6) computer labs are available to students in 95% of responding schools; and (7) while 69% of schools have a private telecommunications line, only 22% of respondents are connected with the North Carolina Information Highway. Additional results are discussed. (Author/SWC)