For decades, the field of educational technology (ed-tech) has been characterised by overoptimism and lofty promises that often fail to materialise. This research investigates the narrative claims or hype of ed-tech across diverse education contexts in seven Asian-Pacific countries. It uses a qualitative meta-analysis of research reports developed…

The action research project described in this paper was part of an initiative to bring about change in the way courses are delivered in the vocational trades area at UNITEC New Zealand. We decided to focus on students' writing on a new Level 3 course--the Certificate in Automotive and Mechanical Engineering (C.A.M.E.) in which all participants had…

This paper looks at the ICT (information and communication technology) curriculum in New Zealand secondary schools and gendered participation patterns in different specialist ICT subjects. New Zealand has a permissive ICT curriculum, comprising a variety of subjects and characterised by choice and variation in the curriculum in practice at the…

Computers and computer-assisted instruction are being used with increasing frequency in the area of undergraduate paramedic education. Paramedic students' attitudes towards the use of e-learning technology and computer-assisted instruction have received limited attention in the empirical literature to date. The objective of this study was to…

This article highlights the practice of a group of New Zealand teenagers who are considered by their family and themselves to be technological experts. Drawing on Pierre Bourdieu's key concepts of habitus, field and capital, this text identifies and discusses the cyber-relations that constitute the practice in the field of home computer use for…

A key question for educational researchers is whether information and communication technology (ICT) use enhances teaching and learning. In this paper, the authors report findings from a three-year study (2001-2004) investigating teaching and learning effects of ICT use in 26 secondary schools in New Zealand as perceived by teachers. The most…

Online learning (eLearning) has become a global phenomenon as many organizations and educational institutions worldwide have entered the field in an attempt to enhance the students' experience of learning. While numerous studies have focused on the effectiveness and benefits of eLearning, few have focused on understanding and measuring the user…

The development of digital information literacy (DIL) has been slow in comparison to changes in information communication technologies, and this remains an issue for the higher education sector. Competency in such skills is essential to full participation in society and work. In addition, these skills are regarded as underpinning the ability to…

Evaluates a program designed to introduce educational uses of computers to teachers and to facilitate their integration into classroom activities. The model involved teachers in a school-based action-research project supported by visits from resource personnel with clusters of teachers attending two meetings to evaluate experiences, share ideas,…

Describes results of an integrated curriculum project in New Zealand that generated paradoxical results regarding student motivation and attitudes toward computer use during junior high school, where attitudes became less positive. Examines implications for the design and implementation of curriculum projects involving student use of computer…

Three studies were conducted in New Zealand with preschool children and high school students which examined computer attitudes and the effect of particular gender views on exploratory behavior. Results suggest that high school affirmative action programs are working, more female role models are needed, and efforts need to include young children.…

The current paper examines the design process that led to an unusually successful interactive tutorial for older people. The paper describes the issues that make designing for older people different. These include differences between the designer and the target population and the difficulty that older people have in interacting with low-fidelity…

This evaluation of the Learning Enhancement with Information Technology project examined the impact of the introduction of an information technology initiative on students' and teachers' attitudes toward computing and students' learning. The evaluation was designed as a case study involving Palmerston North Girls' High School (PNGHS) and a matched…

The computer has been in the world's mathematics classrooms for some period of time now, but with varying degrees of implementation in the promotion of student learning. In this paper we describe longitudinal research over seven years which has investigated how primary school teachers actually make use of computers in their mathematics classroom,…