Provides an overview of the articles in this issue that address the role of teachers and instructional technology; preservice teacher training in telecommunications; voice mail; courses using computer conferencing; and various aspects of software and courseware development and usage, including the portability of courseware to China. (LRW)

The choice of multimedia authoring systems influences the development and cost of multimedia projects. Provides a method of selecting authoring systems and organizes selection criteria into two classes for analysis: functional (authoring metaphor, interactivity, scripting language, testing paradigm, object orientation, multimedia component…

Discussion of multilingual teaching environments focuses on the development of instructional software that is able to change the language of the on-screen presentation. Benefits for second-language learning are discussed, programing methods are explained, and an example of a software program in English and in German is given. (LRW)

Introduces and demonstrates a quick-prototyping model for educational software development that can be used by teachers developing their own courseware using an object-oriented programming system. Development of a courseware package called "The Match-Maker" is explained as an example that uses HyperCard for quick prototyping. (Contains…

Explores the principles and theories relevant to the design of effective hypermedia courseware. Proposes a hypermedia design: micro-(node) design, dealing with the creation of discrete information screens; and macro-(links), dealing with the connections between them. Presents a prototype courseware template and a courseware unit based on design…

Reviews the background and features of digital multimedia instruction, and discusses the benefits and limitations. Applications and future trends are described, and the major areas of applications--education, training, and entertainment--are identified. (Author/AEF)

Reports on a study that explored the impact of instructor-student interaction when pairs of business statistics students used a computer spreadsheet package to perform statistical calculations. Data are reported on spreadsheet performance and use of commands, and implications for the roles of the instructor and software developer are discussed.…

Culture represents the complex of social, emotional, intellectual, physical, and personal factors that individuals use to create meaning. When these are missing from instructional materials, achievement may be imperiled. Examples of how cultural variables can be incorporated into instructional decisions are presented to illustrate the potential…

Investigates strategies elementary school children use to conceptualize materials in computer-based learning environments. Results show that 80% of the time students had attention focused on the learning material and gained an elevated level of awareness; the implication to instructional design is that courseware stimulates learning motivation if…