Rules of thumb for assessing the costs of developing a training course are provided for instructor-led, self-study, and computer-based courses. (JOW)

Self-instruction, more likely applied to adult learners, depended on the extent to which learners more or less consciously make decisions about aspects of the learning situation and control them. Issues of control are discussed and examples of relevant learning situations are offered, including group work and computer-assisted learning. (16…

Discusses the author's experiences in designing and implementing a self-paced introductory sociology course. Describes development of an interactive testing program and details of course design. Concludes, that in this instance, self-pacing proved to be undesirable because of students' inability to monitor themselves and a continuing decline in…

Describes factors involved in designing print support materials for computer-based instruction (CBI) or independent learning. Basic principles of effective instructional design based on principles promoted by Gagne and Briggs are discussed, and a format for organizing a course manual that was developed at Grant MacEwan Community College (Alberta)…

Examines three aspects of computer technology that allow learners to develop cognitive and metacognitive skills and that facilitate learner autonomy: database organization in a self-access facility, computer-assisted language learning, and the use of menus to organize programs and files. An argument is made that technology should neither control…

This article's main claim is that to support individuals' development toward becoming self-regulated learners requires certain amounts of other-regulation, i.e. scaffolding. Starting from this assertion, we discuss 6 issues that surfaced in the 5 articles of this special issue. First, we argue that designers need good reasons for taking freedom…

Discusses differences between computer-delivered instruction and print-delivered instruction and the importance of the role of the instructional design process when adapting traditional teaching materials to newer media. The use of authoring systems for preparing materials and computer-managed instruction as a support for programed instruction are…

Investigates the integration of Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL) into the curriculum for occasional use, for independent study, for developing particular skills, and as the focus of a course. (Author/VWL)

Proposes that automatic speech recognition (ASR) can effectively increase students' learning twofold over conventional self-study materials. Past and current efforts at the U.S. Military Academy are described that are aimed at integrating advanced ASR into courseware-authoring systems. (Author/VWL)

This article describes the benefits of integrating technology into the curriculum including giving gifted students an opportunity to work at their own pace and ability level and to research independently. Internet usage is discussed, as well as using technology to reach out to gifted girls and gifted at-risk students. (Contains references.) (CR)

Discussion of adult literacy and the role of public libraries focuses on the development of Adult Learning Centers based on experiences at the Hempstead Public Library (New York). The use of self-guided computer-assisted instruction is explained, and benefits are described. (LRW)

This article reports on the gains that may be obtained from the use of computers to develop language skills in students of English as a foreign language. Advantages and disadvantages of using computers to teach English are presented. A set of guidelines for using computers are suggested, and two related issues in using computers in instruction are…

Presents accumulated insights for benefit of colleagues considering embarking on software development projects. Original purpose of project was to produce a set of grammar revision and extension modules allowing teachers to use computers as a means of ensuring that once a language point had been dealt with in class, students could be required to…

Reflects on the configuration of methods--personal language-learning history, journals, video observations, interviews, and pre/post-language proficiency tests--used to explore the experiences of 23 French second-language learners as they worked independently with an interactive-video program. (Author/VWL)

Describes the use of interactive video (IV) in initial teacher training in the United Kingdom. Learner control is discussed, and five types of IV use are highlighted: (1) as a presentation system; (2) for independent student learning; (3) as a resource for students on teaching practice; (4) as an information source; and (5) as a surrogate tutor.…