This paper provides a review of the literature about the use of augmented reality in education and specifically in the context of formal and informal environments. It examines the research that has been conducted up to date on the use of those games through mobile technology devices such as mobile phones and tablets, both in primary and secondary…

OpenCourseWare (OCW) and Open Educational Resources (OER) are two new and closely related educational technologies. Both provide open access to learning materials for students and instructors via the Internet. These are for the moment still very young technologies. While they have grown dramatically in just ten years there is still relatively…

There is a pressing need for an evaluation rubric that examines all aspects of educational apps designed for instructional purposes. In past decades, many rubrics have been developed for evaluating educational computer-based programs; however, rubrics designed for evaluating the instructional implications of educational apps are scarce. When an…

In the last two decades, there has been a proliferation of Web-based course-management systems designed to facilitate postsecondary teaching (for example, WebCT, Blackboard, Desire2Learn, Moodle). In general, these systems provide analogs for delivering lectures, holding class discussions, giving quizzes and examinations (typically multiple…

Discussion of computer-based online help systems for instructional software focuses on three types of learner support: for optimizing use of a computer program; for learning content; and for monitoring and enhancing learning. Proposes a multi-dimensional model of learner-support space defined by the intrusiveness of the delivery methods and…

Summarizes the results of five studies dealing with screen design for computer-based instruction (CBI) and provides suggestions for their application as well as future directions for research. Chunking, text density, and screen density are discussed as variables in screen design, and current research is described. (33 references) (LRW)

This review of computer-aided writing includes a brief software survey and an evaluation of current uses of educational technology. Recommendations for the future are also made. (GDC)

Policies and practices which result in differential computer learning opportunities are discussed. Resources designed to remedy gender imbalance in computer learning are given. A list of areas where research is needed is offered. (MT)

This report summarizes the discussions at a seminar which provided the opportunity for 15 researchers and developers from the United Kingdom and other European countries to consider a number of short, medium, and long-term issues and assist in setting an agenda for future phases of research. The specific goals were: (1) to identify the tools…

Presents an instructional development model that incorporates formative evaluation techniques, and explores the possible application of the model in developing computer-assisted instruction courseware. Advantages and disadvantages of this approach are identified and implications for research on formative evaluation are discussed. (31 references)…

Addresses cognitive style and visual literacy in use of instructional computing, focusing on learner interaction with screen displays and ways cognitive style and visual preferences facilitate or inhibit learning, and asks whether having computers in classrooms is only a case of utilizing another form of television. Research areas are suggested.…

Discussion of computer-assisted learning (CAL) and the instructional functions of audio highlights the development of an interactional audio-CAL system used for second-language learning. Levels of interactivity in media are discussed, hardware that would add audio to a CAL system is described, and future research is suggested. (10 references) (LRW)

Discussion of how to teach programming skills to novice programmers focuses on the use of a program animator that uses a copies model of recursion to teach the recursive function. Various mental models are reviewed; testing the recursion animator is described; and possibilities for further research are suggested. (12 references) (LRW)

Discussion of multimedia courseware development focuses on a framework of ways of thinking, modeling, working, and controlling the development process to derive criteria for a comprehensive method. Separate quality assurance of both product and process is proposed, and a case study involving second-language learning is presented. (Author/LRW)

Reconsiders and affirms the general model of factors that influence the portability potential of educational software by summarizing the articles in this special issue. Factors that received the most attention include software design and development; overall instructional approach; teacher training; and cultural assumptions. Areas for further…