Discussion of issues related to computer-assisted learning (CAL) and computer-based training (CBT) describes approaches to electronic learning; principles underlying courseware development to support these approaches; and a plan for creation of a CAL/CBT development center, including its functional role, campus services, staffing, and equipment…

Describes the development of strategies and software to help people work collaboratively while at a distance from one another. The importance of collaborative activities, the shared spaces concept behind groupware, examples of software that support synchronous and asynchronous group activities, and design issues for educational groupware are…

Discussion of the use of computers in education focuses on the development of a fully distributed computer environment at MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology). The software, NEOS (Networked Educational Online System) is described, and its use in an engineering and scientific writing course and in an essay course is explained. (LRW)

Discusses the Baltimore Learning Community Project, a collaborative effort that includes the Baltimore City Public Schools, the University of Maryland (UM), and Johns Hopkins University. Focuses on the UM component that involves the development of telecommunications software applications for middle school science and social studies teachers.…

This practicum was developed in response to a concern that a week-long orientation program did not eliminate the difficulties experienced by sixth graders in signing onto and using the school's Local Area Network (LAN). Class printouts demonstrated a noticeable discrepancy between the number of skills students were supposed to complete and the…

Presents an exploratory case study with preservice teacher education students of an experience in collaborative discourse mediated through an educationally designed network-based application. Topics include computer mediated communication; text-based communication; small group discussion; and software design, including the design of IdeaWeb that…

After presenting a brief history of computer-assisted instruction (CAI), this paper provides an overview of the current uses of computer technology in instruction at U.S. community colleges. This profile focuses on the ways in which the technology has been spread throughout the curriculum, the characteristics of computer laboratories, and the…

Computer-aided instruction incorporating interactive multimedia and network technologies can boost teaching effectiveness and student learning. This article describes the development and implementation of network server-based interactive multimedia courseware for a fundamental course in nuclear engineering. A student survey determined that 80% of…

The five papers in this collection discuss various aspects of the Electronic Learning-Package Factory (ELF) project at the University of Bradford in England. In the first paper, "Adoption of CAL in Higher Education: A Cooperative Approach to Research, Development and Implementation," Philip Barker considers the opportunities for…

Discusses the development of a national computer network that would serve the K-12 educational community as well as higher education. The needs of teachers and students are considered, educational equity is discussed, pricing structures are examined, software development is discussed, and future possibilities are explored. (LRW)

Discusses a conference centering around the added value of technologies in language learning. Topics include the necessity of networks, added value analysis for "a priori" specification and "a posteriori" assessment, funding, textbooks, user expectation, assessment methods, integration into other learning systems, and an action plan. (CK)

A survey of directors of academic computing at 981 2- and 4-year colleges found that identifying appropriate software for faculty is considered a more important function than developing software for classroom use; that public research universities are anticipating more computing budget cuts; that networking is increasing; and that student and…

Forty-three papers from a conference on microcomputers are presented under the following headings: Computing in the Curriculum, Information and Computer Science Information; Institutional and Administrative Computing, and Management, Services, and Training. Topics of the papers include the following: telecommunications projects that work in…

Texts of conference papers and summaries of colloquia on computers and second language learning are presented, including: "Computers, Language Learning, and the Four Skills" (summary of a session with Steve McGuire, Albert Dudley, Patricia Thornton, Paul Jaquith, Jay Lundelius, Steve Tripp); "Creating Your Own Software--The Easy Way" (Steve…

Lifelong learning is becoming a necessity in the new Information Society where everyone, particularly small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), must keep up with new technologies. Education and training are of the most importance in this updating. An interdisciplinary and inter-university work group called "Canalejas" (Spain) has…