Attitude, experience and competence (broadly covered by the European Computer Driving Licence syllabus) in information technology (IT) were assessed in 846 1st-year Medical Sciences Division undergraduates (2003-06) at the start of their first term. Online assessments delivered during induction workshops were presented as an opportunity for…

This paper shows how concept mapping can be used to measure the quality of e-learning. Six volunteers (all of them 3rd-year medical students) took part in a programme of e-learning designed to teach the principles of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Their understanding of MRI was measured before and after the course by the use of concept mapping.…

This paper is concerned with the following problem: Given a tentative educational system, constructed to reach certain predetermined objectives and satisfying a set of well-formulated constraints, how can mechanisms be installed and operated such that rational, iterative improvement of the system can be made?" (Author)

The supervision of undergraduate student dissertations is an area in need of research. Although some studies have already addressed this, these are primarily based on academic staff responses. This study contributes to knowledge by gathering the responses of students and focusing on formative electronic assessment. Data was collected using a…

Discussion of desktop videoconferencing and its use for remote tutorials focuses on limitations in current methods for assessing video channel quality, which is thought to affect the effectiveness of the tutorial. Outlines a new scheme for tutorial content quality analysis and discusses results from tests with higher education students. (Contains…

A major challenge for researchers and educators has been to discern the effect of ICT use on student learning outcomes. This paper maps the achievements in Year 10 Science of two cohorts of students over two years where students in the first year studied in a traditional environment while students in the second took part in a blended or e-learning…

Describes the derivation of, and rationale for, the methods used to evaluate a new clinical curriculum at the Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine in London. Thirty-three references are appended. (LLS)

Discusses problems that may be encountered when evaluating a major course in educational technology and makes pragmatic suggestions for small-scale evaluations on such dimensions as informal/formal, formative/summative, case-study/generalizing-study, internal/external, holistic/analytic, and process/product. Fifteen references are listed. (LLS)

With the proliferation of computers in test delivery today, adaptive testing has become quite popular, especially when examinees must be classified into two categories (passfail, master nonmaster). Several well-established organisations have provided standards and guidelines for the design and evaluation of educational and psychological testing.…

How can we accelerate innovation and ensure effective dissemination of knowledge about online learning resources? This paper advocates strategies that systematically link online professional development with the research, development and diffusion cycle. The systemic approach we describe can accelerate knowledge advancement and help manage change…

Discusses the effectiveness of corporate training programs and the role of management. Development of a training policy based on training needs is discussed, an evaluation model for corporate training is described, and discrepancies between expectations and actual experiences of trainees and managers are discussed. (10 references) (LRW)

Describes a framework for collecting evidence on the impact of educational technology on learning. The framework is designed to provide a common core of evidence, have internal coherence and the ability to sustain layered objectives, be easy to use, and accommodate a range of foci and perspectives. Suggested questions for a review process are…

Discusses a study that focused on assessing with children the story outline for developing an animated story about children's fear of the dark. Describes interviews and observations that showed children's reactions to fear of the dark and their response toward the planned visuals for the animation. (LRW)

In this paper, we describe concept parsing algorithms, a novel semantic analysis methodology at the core of a new pedagogy that focuses learners attention on deep comprehension of the conceptual content of learned material. Two new e-learning tools are described in some detail: interactive concept discovery learning and meaning equivalence…

Discussion of software evaluation for computer assisted instruction focuses on the Computer Courseware Evaluation Model (CCEM), developed at the University of South Florida. Criteria for reliability and validity are discussed, and areas of concern in software are addressed, including cost and presentation characteristics, instructional…