Computing in Math/Science Education Division News ------------------------------------------------- Contents: 1. Special Telecommunications Issue of JCMST 2. Symposium Proceedings Available 3. International Symposium on Math/Science Education and Technology 1996 Site Announced--Montreal, Canada Special Telecommunications Issue of JCMST ----------------------------------------- The V14, N1/2 1995 issue of the Journal of Computers in Mathematics and Science Teaching will be published as a Special Telecommunications double-issue (approx. 200 pages). The following is a reprint of the Preface for this issue. See Publications section in main menu of AACE Information Server for ordering instructions. Preface to the Telecommunications Special Issue of JCMST -------------------------------------------------------- The Editors of the Journal of Computers in Mathematics and Science Teaching present this Special Issue as a vehicle for sharing ideas regarding current uses of telecommunications in the teaching and learning of mathematics and science, as well as in preservice teacher education. The opportunities for utilizing telecommunications are endless. While the authors of each article in this issue offer examples for integrating telecommunications into instruction, you are constrained only by your own creativity and inventiveness. The examples herein can be modified and transferred to other teaching and learning contexts. We encourage you to do just that. The thirteen articles within this Special Issue articulate the importance of telecommunications in the learning of mathematics and science. The authors demonstrate the use of telecommunications as an effective pedagogical tool. Daniel Shepardson, in the opening article entitled, "Mathematics and Science Teaching on the Information Superhighway," introduces the role of telecommunications in the teaching and learning of mathematics and science, as well as the instructional opportunities afforded by the use of technology. Al Gore, Vice President of the United States, stresses the need to connect every school and library to the Information Superhighway in his article entitled, "The National Information Infrastructure." He further outlines five principles for establishing the information infrastructure of the future. In "Navigating the Internet Highway," Gerald Krockover and Paul Adams introduce a variety of tools and services such as, Gopher, Archie, Veronica, and Jughead, including commercial services for utilizing telecommunications in teaching mathematics and science. The article by Roger Day, "Internet Connections to Mathematics Education," follows with specific examples for teaching mathematics and preparing mathematics teachers for using telecommunications. James Russett overviews the use of telecommunications and the lessons learned from the perspective of secondary science methods in "Using Telecommunications With Pre-Service Teachers." The Michael Waugh and Alex Rath article, "Teleapprenticeships in an Elementary Science Methods Class: A Description of Students' Network Experiences," is a descriptive study of pre-service teacher use of computer networks and telecommunications. The use of telecommunications in the teaching and learning of earth science concepts is described by Jill Fuller and Gerald Krockover in "Using Computer File Servers to Manage College Courses for the Twenty-First Century." The article highlights the use of electronic-mail, Gopher, and NASA SPACELINK. Vanessa DiMauro and Gloria Jacobs, in their article "Collaboration as an Effective Tool for Creating and Sustaining Electronic Networks," provide an overview of LabNet and the successful strategies employed to collaboratively establish a national electronic network. In the article, "PSInet: A National Computer Networking Cooperative for Science and Mathematics," Jack Gerlovich, Jon Backstrom, and Angie Schultz provide an overview of the PSInet national computer conferencing network for science and mathematics educators and students. Kenneth Coles, Jerry Colglazier, Mike Huffman, Gary Grist, and Dave Sell, in "Networking to Study the May 10, 1994 Solar Eclipse in Indiana," elucidate the strategies and lessons learned from the use of a state supported electronic network in which students collected and shared data and ideas on the 1994 solar eclipse. The use of telecommunications in an elementary school science classroom is described by Kathy Payne-Blackwell in her article, "Telecommunications in an Elementary School Classroom: Implementing the National Geographic Kids Network." Payne-Blackwell explains how she successfully uses National Geographic Kids Network to introduce her students to telecommunications, while enhancing the process of teaching and learning science. A complementary article by William Kyle, Sandra Abell, Daniel Shepardson, Mark Seals, and David Ruth, entitled "Using NGS Kids Network as an Instructional Tool in Science Methods Courses," describes the goals, purpose, and techniques for integrating the National Geographic Kids Network in undergraduate science and elementary science methods courses. Finally, Joseph Krajcik's Research Notes Column, "Telecommunications for Teachers: Supporting Reflection and Collaboration Among Teaching Professionals" focuses on the research surrounding telecommunications in mathematics and science teaching. The articles incorporated into this Special Issue on Telecommunications provide ideas, examples, and lessons learned about integrating telecommunications into mathematics and science teaching. The opportunities to apply and expand these ideas to particular mathematics and science teaching and learning contexts is endless. We hope that this Special Issue both informs and motivates you to explore the use of telecommunications in the teaching and learning of mathematics and science or the preparation of mathematics and science teachers for the classrooms of the future. Authored by: Daniel P. Shepardson, Katherine S. Cennarno, Ed Dubinsky, William C. Kyle, Jr., and James D. Lehman Purdue University Symposium Proceedings Available ------------------------------- Mathematics/Science Education and Technology, 1994, proceedings of the 1994 International Symposium on Mathematics/Science Education and Technology (edited by Gary H. Marks; 244 pages; ISBN 1-880094-12-6) serves as a major source document indicating the current status of mathematics/science education and technology. This volume also is a record of the 1994 International Symposium on Mathematics/Science Education and Technology held in San Diego, CA in July 1994. The Symposium is one in a series of biennial international meetings designed to examine the critical issues and major trends on technology in Mathematics and Science Education to include the research, developments, applications, and future programs. The 1994 Symposium theme was "Emerging Issues and Trends." See Publications section of AACE Information Server main menu for ordering instructions. International Symposium on Math/Science Education and Technology 1996 Site Announced--Montreal, Canada ---------------------------------------------------------------- The 1996 Symposium will be held in August in Montreal, Canada. More details to follow. +------+ | AACE | +------+ .