This guide summarizes "Effective Programs in Elementary Mathematics: A Best-Evidence Synthesis" and "Effective Programs in Middle and High School Mathematics: A Best-Evidence Synthesis," two research reviews conducted by Johns Hopkins University's Center for Research and Reform in Education. The purpose of the reviews was to evaluate the…

Considers ways to successfully create an online community. Suggests that one way to engage students and encourage them to want to take responsibility and ownership for their learning is to construct a learning environment that places their ideas at the center of the learning process, not the completion of the course assignments. (SG)

Examines several new writing environments, including prompted writing, text-based writing environments, graphics-enhanced environments, and hypertext environments. Evaluates each from an instructional perspective. (MM)

Discusses in-service teacher training for computer-related topics and suggests factors that contribute to effective in-service training, including asking teachers to state their needs; collaboration between teachers and the principal to set goals and plan the program; teacher participation; follow-up support; and an active role by administrators.…

This document presents guidelines for evaluating computerized instructional materials. Included are reference sources, suggestions for evaluation criteria, guidelines for both software and documentation evaluation, and forms that can be used in the evaluation process. Five separately labeled reference lists contain citations for approximately 100…

Examines different ways of using computer-aided learning for language arts instruction, focusing on the underlying assumptions about learning and teaching. Asserts that in order to help students become more effective and independent learners, teachers must actively examine the underlying assumptions of using computers for learning. (MM)

Reports on the cost-effectiveness of four educational interventions and their effectiveness in raising student achievement in mathematics and reading. Research shows that tutoring yields the best results. (MD)

This handbook introduces some fundamental ideas on designing, implementing, and facilitating a distance learning course. It offers specific strategies for topics ranging from choosing delivery technologies to encouraging collaboration among scattered distance-learning students to testing and other evaluation methodologies. The book is broken down…

This study investigated the effectiveness of a multimedia program to teach three adolescent students with moderate intellectual disabilities to make purchases using a debit card and an automated payment machine (APM). Results indicated that the program was effective in teaching generalized operation of APMs with a debit card. (Contains…

States that current trends encourage the integration of the curriculum which provides challenges for software programs that have been considered in other curricular areas. Finds that word processing software programs have the capability to not only enhance the mathematics program but also to integrate language arts into this instruction. (PA)

Describes integrated teaching systems (ITS), formerly called integrated learning systems, and discusses guidelines to be considered when purchasing an ITS. Topics discussed include instructional theories, appropriate grade levels and curriculum areas, management and reporting systems, and cost considerations. A list of vendors offering ITS and…

Presents research comparing the cost-effectiveness of four educational interventions (computer-assisted instruction, cross-age tutoring, reduced class size, and longer school day) designed to raise elementary student achievement. Results show that computer-assisted instruction was less cost effective than peer tutoring. Includes three tables…

Raises issues connected to the new teaching problems that accompany using computers in writing classrooms. Discusses three general categories: difficulties in transferring successful practices; difficulties in expanding successful practices; and difficulties in simply understanding which teaching practices may turn out to be successful. (MG)

Reviews instructional design techniques that are suggested for improving the quality and effectiveness of educational software. Three areas of instructional design are addressed: (1) instructional strategies, including provision, examples and active feedback; (2) screen display, including text style variety; and (3) human factors, including…

A guide to development of effective computer-assisted instruction outlines four essential phases (planning, design, execution, and distribution), with specific activities to occur in each phase. In addition, frequent internal review is seen as critical to effective application. (MSE)