When students engage with technology to produce media, impetus and inspiration often come from the work of others. In today's new media environment in which students blur the line between school-based technologies and personal devices and engagement, educators find themselves standing on a railroad track facing a speeding high-tech train. If…

Describes computer conferencing as a particularly useful alternative to traditional approaches to teaching college composition. Gives a basic outline of how an instructor might utilize computer networks to set up a composition course. (HB)

Describes one way of structuring an intelligent tutoring system (ITS) in light of developments in artificial intelligence. A specialized intelligent operating system (SIOS) is proposed for software for a network of microcomputers, and it is postulated that a general learning system must be used as a basic framework for the SIOS. (Author/LRW)

Points out the lack of standards and benchmarks guides for college science teaching. Questions whether it is necessary to attempt to establish national science standards for college science teaching and considers professional development, motivation, and teaching strategies. Recommends teacher preparation experience for college science faculty.…

Describes integrated learning systems (ILSs) and their impact on education. Topics discussed include courseware; curriculum areas; instructional strategies; ILS management systems; and future trends, including IBM versus Macintosh, multimedia, networked software, and curriculum design. (LRW)

According to futurist/educational technology expert Chris Dede, new technologies will revolutionize education only when used to support new models of teaching and learning. Grafting technological solutions onto antiquated structures and learning approaches is misguided. Sidebars explain schools' technology access problems and review Clifford…

Discusses problems with integrated learning systems (ILSs) in the schools, noting they are still an unproven solution to problems in education plagued by many serious limitations. The article recommends dealing with the fundamental problems of the educational system before investing time and money in ILS. (SM)

Discussion of distance learning focuses on working with college faculty. Topics include defining telecommunicated distance learning; the teacher's role; elements of successful distance learning programs; and Western Illinois University's successful experience with distance learning, including support personnel, faculty development, administrative…

Discusses local area networking and global telecommunications. Examines the advantages of networked systems; the importance of connecting classrooms to the Internet or commercial online systems; and how World Wide Web, hypermedia, and the development of browsing software may revolutionize teaching and learning. Terminology and tools used in…

Discussion of cooperative learning focuses on the use of Learning Circles on the AT&T Learning Network and its effects on teachers. The use of computer networks to link classrooms for learning activities is described and benefits of such activities for teachers are discussed, including knowledge acquisition, developing new instructional…

According to author David Roochnik, the "tragedy of logos" refers to the condition of having a "logos" (meaning a view of the rational structure of the world) and colliding with its limits and limitations. The tragedy of logos arises when some event or experience shows that things are otherwise, because tragedy entails the…

Two uses of computers for teaching in distance education are compared and contrasted: systems based on structured, pre-programmed learning materials, or computer-assisted learning, where the learner communicates as if with the computer; and systems based on the communications functions of computers, or computer-mediated communications systems…

Describes computer-assisted activities used in the University of Michigan's teacher education program (computer conferencing and an interactive educational software package). The article discusses what the applications convey about the teaching and learning process, what they communicate about teacher knowledge, and what kind of educational future…

Learning Network Design (LND) is a socially oriented methodology for construction of cooperative distance learning environments. The paper advances a social constructivist approach to learning in which learning and teaching are seen as a process of active communication, interpretation, and negotiation; offers a view of information technology as a…

This article details some of the ways that the Kamehameha Schools Bishop Estate (Hawaii) is dealing with the challenge of education in the computer age, including distance learning, Internet linkups, the Hawaii Educational Wide Area Network, and campus closed-circuit and cable television. (SM)