The effects of two types of two well-established microcomputer-based teaching methods were examined for their effect on teaching high school students kinetics. The use of data acquisition probeware and digital video analysis were studied for their impact on students' conceptions and ability to interpret graphical relationships to real world…

The use of computer simulations as educational tools may afford the means to develop understanding of evolution as a natural, emergent, and decentralized process. However, special consideration of developmental constraints on learning may be necessary when using these technologies. Specifically, the essentialist (biological forms possess an…

Examines what fourth-grade students learned by using computer-based tools intended to help them understand sound and music. Findings provide critical information for future instruction with the goal of supporting learning about sound and music from such tools. They also indicate the need for more studies examining learning from computer-based…

Explores ways in which computer technology could be used to teach science to students with learning disabilities. Discusses the role of computer technology in individualizing the mode of delivery, developing expert tutors, anchoring instruction, integrating science with other subjects, reducing cognitive load on working memory, and motivating…

Presents teacher perspectives on the impact of Internet usage on their teaching practices. Semi-structured interviews and two online surveys provide data from teacher participants in the West Virginia K-12 RuralNet Project. (DDR)

Presents the case of a Mandarin Chinese language curriculum to provide an illustration of how technological tools can be used to hurdle a formidable learning task. Examines curricula for opportunities to introduce complementary technology components. Discusses the software-activity design process and presents an overview of the resulting…

Addresses issues related to students learning to use computers as professional tools. Draws on two qualitative data sources: (1) a case study of a mathematical methods in physics course; and (2) an evaluation of an undergraduate course in multimedia physics. (DDR)

Reports on the evaluation of an interactive media-based science-education project. Concludes that a number of factors must come together for project success, including an environment conducive to innovation and development and strong administrative interest. Contains 16 references. (DDR)

This paper reports on teachers' perceptions of the educational affordances of a handheld application called Participatory Simulations. It presents evidence from five cases representing each of the populations who work with these computational tools. Evidence across multiple data sources yield similar results to previous research evaluations of…

Reports on the application of technology in elementary and secondary education. The report is based on a review of the research literature and on written submissions and oral briefings from a number of academic and industrial researchers, practicing educators, software developers, and government agencies. (DDR)

Reports on a study that examines the experiences of six teachers at three schools in learning about and beginning to implement or enhance project-based learning in their middle school science classrooms using a variety of resources available on the Internet. Contains 25 references. (DDR)

Describes the design of several CD-ROMs with different strategies and foci for teaching general chemistry with large databases of visual information. Presents a sample search with a CD-ROM. Discusses teacher resources including animations, visual databases for presentations, demonstration manuals, laboratory manuals, and encyclopedias as well as…

Describes how an electronic collaborative discussion tool called the Multimedia Forum Kiosk provides equitable learning opportunities in scientific discourse through generating explanations, revising the ideas of others, and asking questions. Contains 58 references. (DDR)

Presents the key design concepts of a software project whose objective is to provide a simple, cheap, and efficient solution for showing slides during lessons in computer labs. Contains 26 references. (DDR)

Discusses the use of computer-aided instruction (CAI) packages in promoting active student learning. Describes the development of a CAI package that highlights discussion of real engineering cases and students' ability to transfer knowledge to new engineering problems. Concludes that the students' problem-solving skills can be improved with the…