Emergent research indicates that electronic portfolios (ePortfolios) can have a positive impact on the learning experience, but there are significant challenges--pedagogical and technological--which may limit their effectiveness. This paper contributes to research by providing further evidence about such challenges from the tutor perspective and…

Many current (online) help systems fail because users refuse to use them or, even if they do so, they do not perceive them as helpful. There is an obvious gap between the intentions of the help content authors and the achievement of objectives concerning the perceived usefulness by help users. Problems may be divided into psychological and…

In this study, we introduce the digital backpack as a means for creating a rich learning experience for students of multiple ages. Development, design, and refinement of the digital backpack are grounded in the theoretical framework of Universal Design for Learning using a Design-Based Research (DBR) model. This article presents the design and…

This paper reports on a study of the experiences of teacher educators in the introduction and development of e-portfolios over an eight-year period from 2002 to 2009 at a Swedish university. The study was conducted with 67 teacher educators in order to investigate how e-portfolios have been discussed, designed, used and disseminated during this…

Indicates that educational programs in prisons illustrate how the tensions between symbol and substance create a loosely coupled situation requiring sensitivity by policy makers and instructors. Examines specific problems that subvert adult education and suggests policies to recouple educational goals to strategies of implementation. (JOW)

Education Matters' working hypothesis in this report was that the quality of implementation of ILT (Instructional Leadership Teams) and LASW (Looking At Student Work) groups is related to the quality of implementation of other components of reform. Specifically, the authors anticipated that schools in which ILTs and LASW groups were…

Indicates that student vocational organizations have a unique capacity to bring the goals of vocational education to the attention of the public. Suggests that sponsoring a community activity, such as a bicycle race, is an effective way to do this. (JOW)

Defines four broad roles of measurement in Direct Instruction. Describes how to make effective use of assessments that are integrated into Direct Instruction programs and how to plan and implement evaluation of the broad outcomes for Direct Instruction programs. Discusses assessment, evaluation, and validity; formative evaluation; summative…

Describes how three teams of teachers, administrators, and staff development specialists translated national, state, and local standards into meaningful instruction for students with and without disabilities. Includes implementation plans and results. (Contains 25 references.) (JOW)

Explored perceptions of faculty, administrators, students, and state policy makers concerning barriers and challenges in implementing collaborative degree programs. Created a typology of collaboration based on data analysis: the builder, broker, ballerina, and baker types of collaborative. Found that setting the pace, acknowledging differences,…

The School District of Philadelphia (SDP), like many other urban school districts, struggles to increase its hiring and retention of experienced and highly qualified teachers in its low-performing/high-need schools. Toward the goal of improving teacher quality and the experience balance, particularly in hard-to-staff schools, the Philadelphia…

The SunSmart Schools Accreditation Programme (SSAP) was launched as a national programme in October 2005 to help reduce the risk of excessive child exposure to ultraviolet radiation. As part of the need for evaluation, this paper reports the findings of a national survey of a randomly selected sample of approximately 12% of New Zealand primary…

Purpose: At many universities, web lectures have become an integral part of the e-learning portfolio over the last few years. While many aspects of the technology involved, like automatic recording techniques or innovative interfaces for replay, have evolved at a rapid pace, web lecturing has remained independent of other important developments…

This study explores attitudes towards and affecting online learning implementation (OLI). In recent years there has been greater acceptance of online learning (OL) by institutional decision-makers, as evidenced by higher levels of institutional involvement; nevertheless, the increase in faculty acceptance lags behind. This gap affects the…

State and local educators encountered both opportunities and obstacles in their first year of implementing the School Improvement Grants (SIGs) funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). In 2009, the ARRA, better known as the economic stimulus package, provided $3 billion for SIGs to help reform persistently low-achieving…