Well over one million high school students drop out of U.S. high schools each year. The human and financial tolls are startling and cannot be sustained in an era when the country is looking for means to remain globally competitive. What would it take to dramatically reduce the problem? USC's Rossier School of Education helped found an independent…

Powerful and transformative learning experiences display characteristics in common with each other. Emerging communication technologies may increase opportunities for powerful and transformative learning experiences. To explore this question, there are four sections to this article. First, it is observed that there are many interesting synergies…

There are at least three powerful insights for educational technology researchers and designers from recent neuroscience studies of the brain and from cognitive science research findings: First, our brains learn and process two very different types of knowledge; non-conscious, automated, procedural, or implicit knowledge, and conscious,…

In this article, the author argues that technology use in education has focused on combating instructional problems and inefficiencies. While technology use for such purposes is viable and important, the author proposes that practitioners and researchers in this field utilize emerging technologies as a means to provide opportunities for personally…

The most significant educational problem of our time has been the achievement gap. The author discusses the need for the field of educational technology to join in the social movement to close this gap. He provides background on the significance of incorporating culture throughout the design and development of technology-based learning…

Avatars are gaining popularity as an emerging technology to facilitate learning and instruction. Avatars can be used as agents of e-learning applications or as part of immersive learning environments such as Second Life. Research indicates that avatar use has numerous potential benefits, including increased student engagement and opportunities for…

Recently, attention has been paid to computer and video games as a medium for learning. This article provides a way of conceptualizing them as possibility spaces for learning. It provides an overview of two research programs: (1) an after-school program using commercial games to develop deep expertise in game play and game creation, and (2) an…

Discusses theories of constructivism, educational technology, and instructional design that were raised in an earlier issue. Topics discussed include process versus content of learning; collaboration; prespecification of knowledge in building instruction; and the design of learning environments. Two examples contrasting objectivist and…

Introduces concepts underlying the conversational science model of self-organized learning, and explains how it can influence the systems-thinking design of tools and educational procedures. Outlines person-based learning and comparative-learning models and discusses the context of person-based learning theory, the conversational learning model,…

Discusses community of practice, situated cognition, learning as demand driven, learning as a social act, and learning via ways of seeing. Expands these ideas through Vygotsky's writings, including zone of proximal development and the general genetic law of cultural development; and considers implications for the design of Web-based learning…

Discussion of constructivism and instructional design focuses on the development of a design model for constructivist environments that supports the construction of knowledge, a meaningful context for learning, and collaboration among learners and with the teacher. Differences between constructivist and objectivist approaches are considered.…

Considers factors that must be weighed in creating effective electronic learning environments and presents a basic framework for Web-based or electronic learning. Highlights include the institutional dimension; the pedagogical dimension; technological dimension; interface design; evaluation; management; resource support; and ethical…

Reviews articles in this issue that deal with theories of constructivism from the point of view of an instructional designer. Highlights include technology and constructivism; generative learning environments; learning processes; assessment; learning strategies; knowledge domains; learner control; and suggestions for both constructivists and…

Discussion of learning theories focuses on cortical plasticity, enriched learning environments, and the systematic design of instruction. Topics include neurophysiology; research on cortical plasticity and its implications for instructional systems design; linking theory with practice; discovery learning; and motivation and arousal, including…

Discussion of three basic goals of education--retention, understanding, and active use of knowledge and skills--focuses on information processing technologies and educational practices surrounding the idea of constructivism. Highlights include the five facets of a learning environment and the relationship of constructivism and technology,…