Gloria Rubin, School Counselor, VA, wrote:

My main computer uses are for word processing and design of forms. I use ClarisWorks on my Mac to write weekly columns for the school newspaper. I also design forms for my many programs, like the Greeters’ Club, with a manual and forms for welcoming new students, and the Student Mediation Guide. I also create questionnaires on my computer. Recently I learned how to use instant messenger to communicate with my daughter in college.

---

Randy S., GWU professor, wrote:

At home, I prepare to teach my course for George Washington University, so I prepare presentations and research the net for information. I communicate with students via email, answer questions and attach information they need. I will post information about my course on the web.

As a teacher, I use the computer to track grades, do lesson plans, make worksheets, etc.etc. As membership chair of my Temple, I keep a database of prospective members and also a database of donors for our annual raffle. I generate address labels from these lists as well. As a party planner, I make sample menus, do estimates and keep a database of clients on the computer. I couldn't do without it!

Fri Sep 25 13:19:26 1998 from 200-242-246.ipt.aol.com
Anonymous Teacher

Computers and computer software have revolutionized the way that we teach and the way students learn.

Sat Sep 26 22:14:02 1998 from proxy-116.iap.bryant.webtv.net
Suzanne

I use my computer at work mainly for emailing and word processing, making student lists, schedules, vocabulary word lists, announcements, etc. I also help elementary students learn how to use the computers for various programs.

Fri Oct 2 10:10:06 1998 from spider-tj064.proxy.aol.com
Rachel Feldman <OCsunshine@aol.com> 

Since I am homeschooled due to a disability, my computer has made my studies and research much more accessible. I am not always able to go to the library, so using my pc is very convenient and puts all of the information right at my fingertips.

Sat Oct 3 14:49:36 1998 from ppp133.kawartha.com
Jennifer Amirault <n_amirault@oncomdis.on.ca> 

Computers are used by students for learning keyboarding, for educational games (practicing reading, math, thinking skills, science principles) and by teachers for tracking student marks, designing timetables, creating worksheets, making up plans and talking to each other via the "River", a bulletin board system used throughout the school board area.

Sat Oct 3 21:37:24 1998 from 207-172-57-57.s57.tnt2.ann.erols.com
Woody Stewart <Tails@crosslink.net> 

Computers are used in labs, classrooms for teachers, and classes are also modeled around the use of computers. Computers are also used by students to write reports, search the web for information on various topics, and also are used to write web pages for various classes. I feel that computers are a very important part of school today. Without them things would be considerably tougher for teachers and students.

Sat Oct 3 21:58:00 1998 from 207-172-112-38.s38.tnt4.ann.erols.com
Adrian Parsons <adrianparsons@geocities.com>  (Home Page)

At my school many applications of PC's are taken advantage of. For example, accessibility is never a problem as any student can use a computer in the libraryat almost any time in the school day. This is an important part of making more students fluent in computer know. I believe Fairfax County is very lucky to have such an established and well funded technology apt school system.

Tue Oct 6 21:32:00 1998 from spider-ti042.proxy.aol.com
Peggy Walk <pegwalk@aol.com> 

I was a teacher before becoming disabled by CFIDS and used computers in the classroom. I taught computer to grades K-8. We used Apple IIe computers. The younger kids did keyboarding games. Older classes learned to program in BASIC. The older classes also did word processing. All the classes had some time to play games. The computer was also used to do some remedial work with students who needed extra help.

Wed Oct 7 08:45:27 1998 from ppp140.kawartha.com
Heather Amirault <n_amirault@oncomdis.on.ca> 

Computers are used in the school library to look up books and subjects and to link all school and public libraries in the area. computers are used in classes to teach computer skills. computers are used by students in computer labs to research subjects on the Net and to complete assignments. Many students have computers at home as well.

Wed Oct 7 17:00:34 1998 from gamble02.computer.wfu.edu
Lindsy Gamble (Home Page)

At Wake, all the students are required to purchase an IBM thinkpad as part of their tuition so that all students, as well as faculty, can be on the same system. Generally, I just use Windows 95 for word processing, Netscape Navigator for internet browsing, and several games for wasting my time and avoiding my homework.

Wed Oct 7 17:18:19 1998 from proxy.rn.byu.edu
Cameron Richards <cpr4@email.byu.edu> 

At BYU, We use computers for e-mail access, test scores, and other news and important event information. Many classes require us to use computers for reports, papers, etc. Computers Labs and Kiosks dot the campus

Wed Oct 7 20:12:36 1998 from
Judy <judy@aaef.anu.edu.au> 

I live and work in Australia, where my job is to advise people on US education. The WWW is a primary source of information, and e-mail is a primary means of communication. Our computers are also used for data bases, record keeping, publication layouts, word processing, etc.

Wed Oct 7 21:50:08 1998 from usr-az-34.rmci.net
Rebecca Sutterlin <minuitc@imap4.asu.edu> 

Computers come in handy at my school, Arizona State University! When my computer is not misbehaving, I use for many things in my daily life, such as Clairisworks for word processing, Netscape for internet and email, an application called Proterm for school email, Now Up to Date to keep a calendar of my schedule, and to play games on to relax. There are many computer labs located throughout campus, but here in my dorm, we have a main computer lab with four computers, and then one on my floor with four computers. This serves those who don't have computers, but there are over 800 students in my dorm, so I know this isn't enough, they're always very crowded!

Thu Oct 8 01:53:17 1998 from rhhs064.res.utk.edu
Stacey Roberts <srober11@utk.edu>  (Home Page)

word processing internet access making fake ids advanced art graphics journalism etc, etc

Thu Oct 8 10:27:14 1998 from bootp-215-207.bootp.virginia.edu
Chrissy Banks <cjb6e@virginia.edu> 

At UVA, I use computers on a daily basis--whether it's typing a paper, e-mailing friends, using the internet or chatting with "buddies" on instant message. Many of my professors gave me their web-page adress where we have access to our test scores, old tests, and study guides. In addition, e-mail is used as a major forum of communication between the faculty and the students, between clubs and the students, and also amongst us Wahoo's!

Thu Oct 8 18:08:24 1998 from bootp-251-59.bootp.virginia.edu
Leila Heidari <lh5k@virginia.edu>  (Home Page)

As a college student, I can't imagine my life without computers. Almost every student on campus owns a computer, and there are numerous computer labs all around grounds for the students who don't. Computers are used most as a means of communications between the school and the students. Teachers e-mail students the assignments expected in class, and students can in turn e-mail their teachers any questions they may have. Every subject has a web address that can be looked at for information regarding that class. Student activities and clubs send out e-mails to advertise or inform about upcoming activities. We surf the web through Netscape to find information on any research topics, and we also keep in touch with friends from other schools through e-mail. Without computers, everything on campus would move a lot slower, and information wouldn't get to everybody.

Thu Oct 8 18:08:36 1998 from bootp-251-59.bootp.virginia.edu
Leila Heidari <lh5k@virginia.edu> 

As a college student, I can't imagine my life without computers. Almost every student on campus owns a computer, and there are numerous computer labs all around grounds for the students who don't. Computers are used most as a means of communications between the school and the students. Teachers e-mail students the assignments expected in class, and students can in turn e-mail their teachers any questions they may have. Every subject has a web address that can be looked at for information regarding that class. Student activities and clubs send out e-mails to advertise or inform about upcoming activities. We surf the web through Netscape to find information on any research topics, and we also keep in touch with friends from other schools through e-mail. Without computers, everything on campus would move a lot slower, and information wouldn't get to everybody.

Fri Oct 9 12:40:03 1998 from spider-pa083.proxy.aol.com
Caroline Moss <cmm3b@virginia.edu> 

I use my roommate's computer several times a day. Mostly it's for E-mail and writing papers, but a lot of my teachers send assignments on the class's home page. For my religion discussion section, we have to send weekly E-mails to the other students in our class regarding what we read over the week. It's a great and convenient way to stay in touch with people whetether they're down the hall or across the country.

Fri Oct 9 16:48:19 1998 from finch-06.www-cache.demon.co.uk
Denis Scadeng <scadeng@burdon.demon.co.uk>  (Home Page)

Fri Oct 9 16:48:45 1998 from finch-06.www-cache.demon.co.uk
Denis Scadeng <scadeng@burdon.demon.co.uk>  (Home Page)

A very interesting site

Fri Oct 9 17:00:57 1998 from finch-06.www-cache.demon.co.uk
Denis Scadeng <scadeng@burdon.demon.co.uk>  (Home Page)

Both my wife and I use computers extensively in our work. Advances in IT have enabled us to produce material that is more impressive and more effective. It would be interesting to look at the use of teaching material in any one indtitution to see the impact of computers in the presentation of material.

Fri Oct 9 19:33:00 1998 from dig02-51.cam.sota-oh.com
Heather Frese <hkf@cambridgeoh.com> 

As a part time college student, I use my computer for writing papers, e-mailing professors and other students, and doing research. Life without my baby laptop...I think not!

Sat Oct 10 09:18:27 1998 from ts2-13.qtm.net
Mary Peterson <mericat@juno.com> 

I am a teacher at a facility for multiply impaired and/or mentally impaired children ages 3-26 years of age. Computers are used for a variety of tasks: 1. making up and filling out reports on our students 2. facilitating communication between onsite and offsite staff 3. used to make make banners, posters and other educational aides 4. lesson plans are typed into the computer and then changed weekly as needed 5. we have a computer lab onsite in which children learn to use computers for education and for recreational purposes 6. computers are a way in which some of our more physically disabled students can learn to communicate by touching the screen with finger/toe/and or head pointer 7. computers can be used as a reward system for free time 8. computers are used for language disabled students--to teach them to communicate 9. computers reinforce reading and math skills 10. computers store learning programs that I can print up and use with my students. 11. computers print out pictures for language boards that I use with my students to help them with communication skills. I am sure there are many more ways in which computers are used in our building

Sat Oct 10 22:01:09 1998 from dyn-24-173.paonline.com
Sue <bells9758@paonline.com> 

I use them with my class of first graders to research topics, drill and practice of skills, and to communicate with others through e-mail. It is also a handy way of keeping in touch with the parents who have e-mail capabilities.

Tue Oct 27 17:10:32 1998 from marigold.ee.ndsu.nodak.edu
Jenny

I teach electrical engineering. My students and I use computers for design and simulation of various types of systems such as circuits, airplanes, automobile engines, and robots. I use computers in my research, which includes control system design and numerical analysis. Without computers, I would be lost! Computers, and word-processing software, have also made it much easier to produce papers about my research and handouts for my classes. And, of course, I use computers for e-mail and accessing the WWW.

Wed Oct 28 22:30:59 1998 from max9-6.hk.super.net
Judith Sutterlin <osek@hk.super.net> 

As a missionary, learning the language of the local people is important to me. I find that having many different ways to learn is helpful. Besides classes and conversations with local people, I can also use my computer.

There are lots of language learning programs available on CD-ROM. Many of these programs are interactive. You can choose the topic or the vocabulary that you want to learn or practice. And you can choose the particular exercises you want to do. You can skip the ones you already know well and repeat the one that give you trouble. You can also go to the topics you want to learn most.

With many such programs, you can listen to a native speaker and then record your own voice. Some programs will then tell you whether you sound like a tourist or a native speaker or somewhere in between. Other programs show a graph of the sound waves of your voice to compare with that of a native speaker. You can practice in the privacy of your own home to improve your pronunciation very quickly.

This can also be a good way to learn another language when you don't know any native speakers who can help you learn and practice.

I am using the computer to improve my Mandarin and Cantonese. What language do you want to learn?

Tue Sep 21 16:03:21 1999 from sute.loc.gov
E.S.  <esutterl@erols.com>  (Home Page)

http://cyberatlas.internet.com/markets/education/article/0,1323,5951_184281,00.html is a fascinating new article about how students are using computers and the Internet for the schoolwork now. Sept. 1999 I see this article.