One of Australia's newest educational technology units is the Advisory Center for University Education at the University of Adelaide. It is concerned with all aspects of teaching and learning in the university. This article describes how the center is interpreting this role. (Author)

A discussion of how developments in psychotechnology, information and communications technology, organizational technology and systems technology promise new opportunities for personal and cultural development. (Author)

Presents a definition of educational technology that points to three areas where research is needed: instructional theory, design-oriented research, and instructional design procedures. Computer assisted instruction and perceptions of media and technologies are discussed, and 74 references are given. (Author/LRW)

This examination of the activities of the Council for Educational Technology that support the improvement of learning focuses on support for: using new techniques; training educational technologists; the development and use of resources; access to information; and the work of administrators, providers, and policy makers. (LRW)

Discusses learner autonomy in traditional adult education and in adult distance education. Learning strategies are described, the teacher's role in each educational setting is examined, and examples of autonomy learning at a distance are given, one at the University of Surrey and one at the Open University in Great Britain. (32 references) (LRW)

Discusses economic and political influences on the education system of West Germany as decisions are made to introduce new information technologies in the schools, and describes a model of four levels of education decision contexts for use in developing specifications: pedagogical ideals, institutional conditions, factors of curriculum, and…

Discusses whether the knowledge gained by a successful transfer of media-based materials for teacher training between two developed countries could be applied to a transfer of innovative learning materials from a developed country to a developing country. The advantages of such a transfer are assessed. Ten references are cited. (Author/CHC)

Describes methods used to evaluate software for microcomputers in Japanese elementary and middle schools. Completion of an evaluation checklist by experienced teachers is described, the cluster analysis used is reviewed, and characteristics of available software are discussed and analyzed to assess their learning and teaching efficiency.…

The Library Resource Centre at Dundee College of Education is used as an example to describe the role of a resource center within a model of an open learning system. Identifying learner's needs, staff development, and library instruction are considered in terms of effective support strategies. (Author/LRW)

Three articles discuss professional staff development in higher education and suggest future possibilities. A proposed staff appraisal system that includes opportunities for student evaluation is outlined; questions relating to the concept and rationale of teacher appraisal in higher education are examined; and two case studies using innovation…

Three articles address various issues concerning staff development. Topics discussed include challenges facing professional development in higher education; who has responsibility for staff development; and implications for staff development based on a survey of Non-Advanced Further Education (NAFE) in England and Wales. (LRW)

Six articles highlight governmental initiatives to encourage staff development in the United Kingdom. The Grant-Related In-Service Training Scheme (GRIST) is described from the perspectives of sponsoring institutions and local education authorities; course approval criteria established by government are reviewed; and teacher education through…

Discussion of problems encountered in educational software development in Japan is the second of a two-part series on evaluation of Japanese microcomputer-based software. Problems associated with content, learner attitude, and graphics presentation are described, and future challenges in simulation and integrating courseware with other teaching…

Discussion of computer-assisted language learning highlights a British study with elementary, secondary and university Spanish language students that incorporated speech synthesis and interactive video. The Multifacet Language Laboratory is described, software used is explained, student and teacher reactions are discussed, and a sample of the…

Describes the component parts of interactive video systems and suggests reasons for the increasing popularity of interactive video over other forms of instruction in education and training. A British project is described which is concerned with investigating the potential of interactive video for teaching foreign languages to secondary school…