elcome to the first issue of @CONCORD, the newsletter of The Concord Consortium. We want to share with our readers the work that we're doing on educational technology issues, and the ideas and experiences we've encountered while developing these projects.

Inside our newsletter are editorials, personal experiences, project descriptions, and ways to get involved.

Some people are just beginning to think about education and technology issues. They may have logged on to the World Wide Web for the first time this year. Others are actively involved in educational projects that use computers and electronics.

Our audience includes a diverse group of professionals who share the desire to develop and enhance technology in the classroom. We want to discuss the complex issues surrounding the concepts of netcourses, asynchronous communication, and virtual classrooms. And we hope our audience will weigh in on the issues.

The premier issue of @CONCORD focuses on the use of digital networks, such as the World Wide Web, as a medium for offering expanded course offerings. The article "The Future Is Now" explains how a nationwide cooperative of schools is developing courses to be offered over the Internet. For the more technologically oriented, "Technology Makes INTEC Run Faster" explains the computing power behind a math and science teacher professional development course offered in part online. And "Netcourses Reform Education Using the Power of the Internet" explains what a netcourse is and how it's different from traditional classroom instruction. Get our opinion of the issues by reading the "Perspective" editorial in each issue. This month, "Ensuring Quality Netcourses" presents the possibility of standards for online course offerings. Is it needed, and even essential?

These are just a few of the articles inside @CONCORD. There is something for almost every level of technological know-how. This publication strives to balance technical jargon and straight talk, research and opinion, hands-on and theoretical. When we succeed or fail in accomplishing our goal, we hope that our readers will tell us. Reader feedback is essential to making @CONCORD a useful tool, and not just another piece of junk mail. We want to hear from our readers about the newsletter and the issues it contains. Call, write, send us e-mail. (Contact information)

What is our track record? With help from the National Science Foundation, we have developed several projects.