Editor's
Note
As we celebrate the release
of our 10th issue we would like to thank the founders, contributors,
and Friends of Meridian. Your endless efforts and continuing support
have enabled us to move into our fifth year of existence as an online
journal.
This summer issue continues
to illustrate Meridian's focus of providing articles that support computer
technology use in the middle school. In this "Silver Issue"
of Meridian we feature five innovative articles that address current
topics of interest to educators and researchers relevant to using technology
in the middle school. This issue of Meridian includes the article "Emerging
Risks of Violence in the Digital Age: Lessons for Educators from an
Online Study of Adolescent Girls in the United States," which will
also be published in the December issue of the Journal of School Violence.
This article highlights many of the dangers young women encounter as
they learn to use the Internet. Berson, Berson, and Ferron (2002) offer
Meridian's readers extensive research on cyber violence and the benefits
and risks of Internet use among teenaged girls. Meridian features another
research article, "Gender Differences in Computer Technology Achievement"
by Kimberly Hale. Hale, an eighth grade teacher, conducted the research
to determine how eighth grade girls' and boys' computer technology achievement
differed. "Image Processing for Teaching (IPT) in Science Classrooms"
by Kadriye Lewis is also a feature in this issue of Meridian. Lewis
describes the use of Image Processing Technology in science teaching
in a public middle school in Cincinnati. "A Critical Look at Technology
Use in Middle Grades Earth Science" is a review of literature by
Daniel Dickerson. Meridian presents its In Practice article,
"And the Streets are Paved with Gold: Using Virtual Fieldtrips
in the Classroom" by Brenda A. Dyck. In the article Dyck (2002)
illustrates how to use computer technologies to teach students about
historical places such as Ellis Island without having to pay a fare
or leave the classroom.
Visit our Archives and see
how Meridian has evolved. Some interesting articles include David Fetterman's
"Learning with and about Technology: A Middle School Nature Area"
and Caroline McCullen's "Making A Difference" which are featured
in Volume 1 Issue 1 of Meridian. If you are interested in dance check
out Prudence Cuper's In Practice article "Getting There
From Here: One Teacher's Dance with Technology." Meridian also
takes on an international perspective in Volume 3 Issue 2 in Gian Carlo
Visani's "International Application of the Web in an Italian School
Reform Case." This In Practice article was published in
English and Italian. Also in the archive is Volume 4, Number 1 which
includes a fascinating article on "Internet Tools for Facilitating
Scientific Inquiry" by Richard Huber and Christopher J. Moore.
Our last issue, Volume 5, Issue 1 contained "Evolution - Update
on The Living Article: Using Technology as a Tool for Promoting Healthy
Development in Middle School Students" by former Meridian editor,
Linda C. Greene. Take time to browse our Meridian's archives and read
captivating articles from previous issues.
The articles published in
this "Silver Issue" exemplify the mission of Meridian. We
will continue to offer a wealth of information for our readers to share
and expand teaching and learning with computer technologies in middle
school classrooms and beyond. Special thanks to Dr. Edwin Gerler, Dr.
Lisa Grable, Dr. Beckey Reed and former editors for their hard work
on making this electronic journal a valuable resource for middle school
educators and researchers. Thanks for your leadership on Meridian's
wonderful journey as we at the journal look ahead to the next 10 issues
and beyond.
Angelia Reid-Griffin and
Jason A. Wilson
Co-Editors, Meridian: A Middle School Computer Technologies Journal
