A survey was administered to look at required textbooks used in Instructional Design and Technology graduate programs during the 2009-2010 academic year. There were 91 U.S. programs and 20 international programs that had at least one faculty response. Based on the findings, there were various changes and trends in the types of textbooks that are…

The Sultanate of Oman recently investigated the viability of online teacher training through a joint project funded by the U.S. Middle East Partnership Initiative and the Oman Ministry of Education. One aspect of the project was to build sufficient capacity within the Ministry to enable Oman to produce online training in the future. This article…

Discusses current trends in the use of electronic mail (e-mail) in education. National and international academic networks are described, including BITNET and NSFNET; uses of electronic mail for faculty, administrators, and students are examined; and guidelines for using e-mail are offered. (seven references) (LRW)

This article describes a network among the Commonwealth's 28 smallest countries created to enhance the professional capacity of educators, developing new course materials, and enabling the transfer of courses and qualifications across borders. The focus is on topics such as entrepreneurship, tourism, professional development of educators, life…

The second in a series of three, this article reviews some major educational priorities currently being pursued by development agencies, and examines some of the ambivalent perceptions about agency activities in recipient nations. Improved programs in teacher training in developing countries are recommended. Ten references are listed. (MER)

Discusses computer mediated communication (CMC) and describes some possible applications of this technology, especially the use of computer conferencing systems. Electronic bulletin boards, online journals, and social communication are discussed, and experiences with using e-mail as a distance education medium between the United States, Canada,…

Describes a textbook production project in a Central American country whose goal was the improvement of primary education. Disparities between educational opportunities in developed nations and Third World nations are discussed, and problems with the project that prevented it from meeting its goal are described. (32 references) (LRW)

Describes KITES (Kids Interactive Telecommunications Experience by Satellite), a cooperative program that involved an eighth grade class in Massachusetts and a ninth grade class in West Germany; the program focused on environmental science and English language instruction. The computer technology used is described, problems are discussed, and…

Discusses issues relating to the use of computers in education. Topics discussed include computer laboratories; teacher training; educational software; multimedia learning materials; experimental school projects; integration of computers into secondary schools; the use of computers for school management; future international projects; and student…