Technologies for Education and Learning: More than Meets the Eye
Wadi D. Haddad

Acquisition of the technologies themselves may be the easiest and cheapest in a series of elements that could ultimately make these technologies sustainable or beneficial. We call for an Institute or Commission to explore and encourage new technologies that are derived from educational needs, have a long lifetime, and are cost-effective.

Configuration of School Technology: Strategies and Options
Eric Rusten, Academy for Educational Development

A primer on where and how computers should be distributed, connected and used in schools.

Solving the Connectivity Problem
Heather E. Hudson, Ph.D., University of San Francisco

This article describes different connectivity options: terrestrial wireless, satellite technologies, wireline technologies, and other technologies.

TechKnowNews

America Online Launches Online Campus Learning Center

IBM's Edvisor Wins Excellence in E-Learning Award

ITrainOnline.org Launched in November 2001

Hong Kong Internet Centers: Free Access for Elderly and Women

Thailand Offers Free IT Training to Its Unemployed

VSATs and Rural Education: An Operational Reality at Last
Pedro Sáenz, Norma Garcia, and Laurence Wolff, Inter-American Development Bank

At last, low-income, remote communities may end their isolation through satellite-based solutions that may be cost-effective and provide a reliable flow of education materials, teacher training, and communications.

Uganda: Wireless School Internet Connectivity
Anthony Bloome, Regional Coordinator, World Links Program Anglophone Africa

This article describes a VSAT system that is piloting new concepts in technology and pedagogy to integrate information and communication technology (ICT) in education in developing countries.

VITA-Connect: A Unique, Low-cost Data Communications System
George Scharffenberger, President, Volunteers in Technical Assistance (VITA)

VITA-Connect is the lowest-cost remote area connectivity option where landline or cellular service is not available. Its capacity to receive and deliver text files and messages and to access web pages makes it ideal for enhancing the effectiveness of remote education and training.

Digital Satellite Radio for International Development
Rose F. Tchwenko, Manager, WorldSpace Foundation

A geo-stationary satellite broadcasts to portable digital receivers equipped with satellite dishes the size of teacup saucers. When connected to a computer, they operate as a modem for web-based multimedia data.

ICTs in African Schools: A Multi-Media Approach for Enhancing Learning & Teaching
Shafika Issacs, SchoolNet Africa

SchoolNet Africa is a network of organizations that promote education through the use of ICT in up to 23 African countries, in partnership with a range of global, regional and local organizations.

Designed for the Dumpster, Outdated Computers Bring Hope & Progress to Disadvantaged Communities
John Thomas, Executive Director, The CURE Network, Inc.

How to start your own computer recycling program.

Pedagogical Uses of Web-based Chat: A Pilot Activity in Brazil
Vera Suguri, Lourdes Matos, Noara Castro, Ieda Castro, Lurdes Marilene Jung, and Eric Rusten

This article discusses the technologies that were used in the Chat Pilot Project, describes the different project activities, presents an analysis of results, and outlines lessons learned.

The Global Service Trust Fund - Bridging the Digital Divide for Education & Health
Peter T. Knight

The satellite industry that has the technology that can most easily reach the isolated populations should seek to do its share to address this problem with innovative answers.

ThinkCycle at M.I.T. : Sharing Distributed Design Knowledge for Open Collaborative Design
Nitin Sawhney, Saul Griffith, Yael Maguire, and Timothy Prestero, MIT

ThinkCycle is a student-led initiative at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) that seeks to raise awareness, develop design pedagogy and collaborative tools to address critical design challenges by working closely with universities and organizations worldwide.

Getting a School On-line in a Developing Country: Common Mistakes, Technology Options and Costs
Mike Trucano and Robert Hawkins, World Links

This article provides a blueprint for school officials and planners to determine the connectivity options and costs associated with getting (and keeping!) schools connected.

Educational System Computer Maintenance & Support: They Cost More Than You Think!
Kurt D. Moses, Vice President, Academy for Educational Development

Annual Support and Maintenance costs for a healthy education computer system can range from 30% to 50% of the initial investment in computer hardware and software. This article provides a detailed breakdown.

The Costs of Computers in Classrooms: Data from Developing Countries
Marianne Bakia, Director of Learning Technologies, Federation of American Scientists

This article analyzes the costs of computer projects in Barbados, Turkey, Chile and Egypt under four main categories: hardware, software, connectivity, and support and maintenance.

Virus Protection and Security: What Is It and How Do We Respond?
Glenn Strachan, Academy for Educational Development

Virus protection is as much a strategy or an attitude as it is a collection of information and related software.

Intelligent Tutoring Systems
Gregg B. Jackson, Associate Professor and Coordinator, Education Policy Program, George Washington University

If intelligent tutors are so smart, why haven’t they taken over computer-assisted instruction?

Open Source Software: No Free Lunch?
Eric Rusten and Kurt D. Moses, Academy for Educational Development

Is Open Source Software a savior for cash-strapped schools and national governments?

WorthWhileWebs
Sonia Jurich

This article offers a selection of web sites that deal with current innovations and future trends in information technology.

Technologies for Education: Looking into the Future
Sonia Jurich

The future of technology is limitless due to human intelligence and innovation. Will the future of education continue to be limited due to human tradition and inertia?

RiverWalk - Brazil: Virtual Journey, Real Learning
Arati Singh, Eric Rusten, and Vera Suguri, Academy for Educational Development

The RiverWalk Project is a collaborative activity in which students and teachers from six countries research and share information about rivers in their communities.

Digital Opportunity: USAID's New IT Initiative
Mary Fontaine, Academy for Educational Development

USAID's new initiative, the DOT-COM Alliance, unites a large number of leading businesses and nonprofit organizations with significant experience and expertise in both IT and international development. Within the Alliance, three consortia each focus on a critical IT area: dot-GOV on policy and regulatory reform, dot-ORG on access and applications, and dot-EDU on education and learning systems.