Mobile-assisted language learning has expanded beyond relatively humble beginnings of replicating computer-based activities assigned in formal language learning contexts, and it now often consists of a complex mix of formal and informal learning activities that take place at different times and places throughout learners' daily lives. Decisions…

As China is playing an active role in the World's politics, economy, and cultural circles, being able to communicate in English has become one of the basic life and work skills and a key for global access and integration. High mobile technology penetration, together with the proliferation of mobile learning applications, have made it possible for…

Personalization is crucial for achieving smart learning environments in different lifelong learning contexts. There is a need to shift from one-size-fits-all systems to personalized learning environments that give control to the learners. Recently, learning analytics (LA) is opening up new opportunities for promoting personalization by providing…

Currently, there is an international change in education that includes the development of new learning programmes and policies, such as (a) bilingual education programmes, (b) the Bologna process, with an emphasis on a more autonomous way of learning, or (c) the systematic evaluation and assessment of students and educational results. These…

The majority of current web-based learning systems are closed learning environments where courses and learning materials are fixed, and the only dynamic aspect is the organization of the material that can be adapted to allow a relatively individualized learning environment. In this paper, we propose an evolving web-based learning system which can…

Active and collaborative learning instruments were introduced into an introductory electrical and computer engineering course. These instruments were designed to assess specific learning objectives and program outcomes. Results show that students developed an understanding comparable to that of more advanced students assessed later in the…

Librarians at Rice and Purdue Universities created novel assignments to teach students important information literacy skills. The assignments required the students to use a third-party web site, PageFlakes and NetVibes, respectively, to create a dynamically updated portal to information they needed for their research and class projects. The use of…

Knowing how to select, organize, and use information in order to solve problems, handle new situations, and continue learning are key issues in the teaching and learning scenario in contemporary society. Teaching these skills is particularly critical for European universities and is currently recognized as vital in the context of the European…

As information professionals, engineering librarians have the primary responsibilities of providing access to engineering information resources and giving instruction in how to use these resources. In the case of undergraduate engineering students, this extends to building their information literacy skills, an important component in helping them…

The Advanced Distributed Learning (ADL) initiative was undertaken to make education, training, and lifelong learning accessible at any time, anywhere. It has developed specifications and techniques that are being adopted globally by governments, businesses, and schools. Although ADL currently focuses on government and business applications, it has…

Discusses the use of computer assisted instruction (CAI) and distance education in teaching search strategies to end users and describes a tutorial developed at the University of South Africa on the formulation of search strategies. Highlights include distance teaching and lifelong learning; and an example of an evaluation of a CAI tutorial.…

ThinkQuest is the fastest-growing, non-profit Internet-based education program in the world. Each year, students and educators from around the globe compete for scholarships and cash awards as they create content content-rich Web sites. In this article, one of the winners, now a ThinkQuest coach, shares his vision about lifelong learning and the…

Discussion of the use of information and communications technologies in education focuses on networked learning. Highlights include virtual universities; lifelong learning; learning models; learning styles; motivation for learning; research in information behavior; information skills; and the developing role of networked learner support. (Contains…

Computer simulations are one promising tool for supporting learning at all levels--from elementary school to workplace learning. Learning through simulations, either by creating simulations or by exploring existing ones, helps learners develop a deeper understanding of the concepts being simulated. Learning about simulations is also important…

Articles in this special issue on the theme of cognitive skills acquisition in lifelong learning begins with an analysis of cognitive skills, then moves to various methodologies and approaches for their effective acquisition, and concludes with a specific implementation of computer systems facilitating this acquisition. (AEF)