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 the incorporation of multicultural nonsexist education (MCNSE) concepts into the educational software used in computer-assisted instruction (CAI). Forty software programs for K-12 social studies are reviewed in terms of six forms of bias, and suggestions for enhancing the integration of CAI with MCNSE are offered. A software evaluation…

Examines the potential use of interactive video (IV) to make primary school student teachers more aware of the process of learning how to teach. Shulman's distinction between subject matter and pedagogical knowledge is discussed, and four IV programs are described that portray typical primary classroom practices. (27 references) (LRW)

Describes the pharma-CAL-ogy project, funded by Teaching and Learning Technology Programme (TLTP), which has developed various types of software for use in pharmacology courses. Topics include course organization and delivery software, drill and practice software, tutorial-type programs, simulations, and the need to integrate computer-assisted…

Describes design considerations that were made for a software prototype called the Virtual Library that were framed by cognitive research and learning theory. When completed, the software will assist preservice teachers in learning about educational psychology and instructional design. Topics include constructivism, exploratory learning, authentic…

Addresses issues related to implementing a variety of computer-science courses on the World Wide Web and in particular how end-user interaction has been facilitated in the courseware. Topics include media support; examples of Web-based interactive hypermedia in courseware; navigation through the courseware; and automated courseware assessment.…

Describes a new scholarly review process for courseware and other interactive learning and information system products. The purpose is to provide a mechanism to support faculty in the creative scholarship of designing and developing interactive products, evaluating their quality, disseminating results, and providing opportunities for the…

Discusses the use of constructivist frameworks to develop effective and successful learning environments, including educational software. Topics include technology supporting reform; virtuality and multimedia; attributes of interactive multimedia and virtual reality; and examples of context and learner active participation. (Contains 35…

Discussion of Web-based learning environments and asynchronous learning networks for on-campus and distance education focuses on the role of academic libraries. Topics include library involvement in courseware development decisions, integration with library systems, and librarian attitudes and observations compared to those of faculty. (Contains…

Describes efforts to adapt R-WISE (Reading and Writing in a Supportive Environment), a computer program developed for the military, for public education. Field testing at MacArthur High School (Texas) using ninth-grade classes is discussed, including fostering higher-order thinking skills, coping with change, and integrating software into the…

An effective learning environment must ensure that students are motivated to access whatever information is available, that they have an authentic context in which to situate that knowledge, and that they face challenges that allow them to put that knowledge to use. In an attempt to address these issues, a computer program was developed, called…

A new Courseware Development Environment (CoDE) is currently being developed for Hyperwave World Wide Web servers. CoDE provides instructional designers with an easy-to-use yet powerful environment to develop online training; students have the ability to access this training using a standard Web browser. Functionality of the Hyperwave server is…

This paper reports on a study that conceptualizes a research framework to aid software design and development for virtual reality (VR) computer applications for instruction in the sciences. The framework provides methodologies for the processing, collection, examination, classification, and presentation of multimedia information within hyperlinked…

This paper considers the technological aspects of learning environment analysis in the instructional development process. Characteristics of a technology-based learning environment are discussed, and old and new models of technology and learning are examined. The connection between technology and cognition is addressed, and the importance of…

Many researchers are attempting to develop automated instructional development systems to guide subject matter experts through the lengthy and difficult process of courseware development. Because the targeted users often lack instructional design expertise, a great deal of emphasis has been placed on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to…