ABC-CLIO's Education and Technology is the first up-to-date, easy-to-understand, comprehensive introduction to the many influences that shape all the various aspects of educational technology, resources and research.  Written by educators, technologists, designers, psychologists and policy-makers, its 200+ entries provide points-of-view from those who create, use and critique instructional technologies.  Using clearly defined and clarified terms, the contributors:

• address the convergence of media and technologies both as delivery systems and as content design strategies, highlighting their feasibility, efficiency and effectiveness in promoting educational change

• examine technologies employed in schools, such as the systematic design of instruction, collaborative learning, rapid-prototyping, and video conferencing

• cover educational products including intelligent tutoring systems, CD ROMs, Groupware, and smart classrooms.

• consider varied educational contexts, including K-12, post-secondary, corporate and industrial training, distance, and alternative, informal education

• highlight the theoretical, commercial, and social frameworks that define educational technologies

• discuss academic and applied research and development from a number of disciplines, including the social sciences, education, communication studies, business and engineering.

• present the concurrent historical influences of technology on educational improvement, illustrating the interdependent relationships making instructional technology so crucial today. Here's a glance at the entries:

•  artificial intelligence            
•  multimedia
•  cyberculture                  
•  netiquette
•  John Dewey                  
•  open-ended learning environments
•  electronic books               
•  project Athena
•  feedback                     
•  Schema theory
•  human-computer interaction      
•  television and learning

Boasting a wealth of illustrations including screen shots of interfaces, icons, and web pages, as well as graphic diagrams of instructional models, networks schemes, and cognitive processes, the entries are cross-referenced and include authoritative citations. An articulate introduction, glossary, and detailed index complete this unique volume.

Education and Technology is a must-have title for libraries, educators, students of education and technology, training and human resource development institutions and government agencies implementing educational community development.

Ann Kovalchick is Director, Center for Innovations in Technology for Learning, Ohio University, Athens.  Kara Dawson is Assistant Professor of Educational Technology, University of Florida, Gainesville.