This paper reports on research to investigate design features of asynchronous discussion systems for higher education. The research aims to identify features that increase the benefits of discussion systems and reduce the problems. The paper focuses on a major theme that emerged from interviews with learners and teachers: information overload.…

This paper examines current practice in the evaluation of learning technology in the UK and proposes a new approach informed by Activity Theory. It is based on our experiences of using Activity Theory to understand students' and lecturers' experiences of technology-based teaching environments. We discuss the activity of evaluating learning…

Examines the use of small-scale databases for introductory economic and social science statistics in higher education. The results of a research project at Portsmouth Polytechnic that used a specially written database are reported, the use of spreadsheets is discussed, and future considerations are suggested. (17 references) (LRW)

Discussion of the Just-in-Time Open Learning (JITOL) project supported by the European Commission in its DELTA Programme considers attributes of open learning and the main tasks of learners and tutors. Information technology-based tools for open learning are described and related to these tasks, and planned JITOL user trials are summarized. (17…

Describes research project being implemented in the United Kingdom that has been developed to examine the process of change in secondary school students' conceptual understandings in the physical sciences. Models of conceptual change are described, the role of computer based activities in promoting conceptual change is discussed, and software…

Describes findings of the Spoken Language and New Technology (SLANT) research project which studied the talk of primary school children in the United Kingdom who were working in small groups at computers with various kinds of software. Improvements in the quality of talk and collaboration during computer-based activities are suggested. (Contains…

Assesses distance learners' reactions to STILE (Students' and Teachers' Integrated Learning Environment), a project which used computer-mediated communication in the United Kingdom and Europe. Findings in four areas are discussed: (1) availability to collaborate; (2) interest in exercises for groupwork; (3) collaboration on extra material; and (4)…

Describes the design and development of inservice teacher education courses on application of computer assisted instruction (CAI) in art classrooms, and summarizes participating teachers' opinions on educational value of computer software and peripheral equipment for specific art applications to which they were introduced during the session. (MBR)

The Open University implemented a project called M205-STILE (Students' and Teachers' Integrated Learning Environment), a fundamental computer science course, with 110 distance learning students and nine tutors in the United Kingdom and Europe. This article examines, from student and tutor perspectives, the knowledge, social, and motivational use…

Discusses the information technology requirements for 5- to 11-year-olds under the United Kingdom's 1988 Education Reform Act. Attainment targets set by the curriculum are described for English, mathematics, science, and design and technology, and knowledge and skills required of primary school teachers under the Act are explained. (seven…

Discusses the nature and function of mental models, explains tools for exploratory and expressive learning, and describes a research program to be conducted in the United Kingdom for 10- to 16-year-olds that is designed to explore characteristics of students' mental models. Highlights include knowledge domains; software, including simulations; and…

Discusses the state of desktop publishing (DTP) in education today and describes the weaknesses of the systems available for use in the classroom. Highlights include document design and layout; text composition; graphics; word processing capabilities; a comparison of commercial and educational DTP packages; and skills required for DTP. (four…

Describes a longitudinal study of college students in the United Kingdom that examined factors affecting computer use. Results show situational factors, including access, training, and time, affect student computer use, but academic staff tend to focus on the needs of their department and should focus more on the student perspective. (Author/LRW)

Reports on the graphing work of children, aged eight and nine years, who have access to portable computers across the curriculum. Describes two learning sequences: in one, the children collected data and then explored the computer graphing facilities; and in the other, graphing is used iteratively as an integral part of the ongoing task.…

Describes software that was designed in the United Kingdom to promote conceptual change in secondary school students studying mechanics. Direct Manipulation of Mechanical Microworlds, an interactive computer simulation, and VARILAB, a computer-based language for modelling systems, are explained; and two studies that will evaluate the effectiveness…