IF YOU DONT HAVE IT, YOU CANT FIND IT - A CLOSE LOOK AT STUDENTS PERCEPTIONS OF USING TECHNOLOGY

Rarely do adults ask students to reflect on their learning. This study looks closely at a sample of eighth-grade students' perceptions about their experiences with technology, especially the use of the World Wi de Web. Employing a phenomenological methodology of both examining a s ingle student story and analyzing a collection of student voices, seve ral themes and questions emerge. Students' personal attributes of self confidence, resilience, and openness to learning about the new techno logies, and their skills in reading the Web and managing information, may offer new questions for teachers and information professionals.