Describes ED's Oasis, a multifunction Web site funded by the AT&T Foundation, through the AT&T Learning Network program, and developed by a team of educators to help teachers use the Internet with their students. Examples are given of various possible uses, including designing interdisciplinary units. (LRW)

Defines prototyping as an original version or model on which a completed software system for computer-based training is formed; examines the development process of a prototype; describes how prototyping can assist in facilitating communication between educational technology, software engineering, and project management; and discusses why…

Defines courseware engineering (CE) and discusses how it differs from software engineering. Topics addressed include the goals of courseware engineering; a classification of tasks; costs; aspects of knowledge representation; the structure of knowledge in CE; processes in knowledge acquisition; and knowledge base validation. (Contains 48…

The history of instructional multimedia systems development includes many difficulties--authorial uncertainty about how to order concepts, the misplaced focus of so-called "intelligent tutors," the sometimes disconcerting proliferation of products, and financial constraints. Against this background, this paper discusses the project which…

Describes the Space Shuttle Commander software package, which utilizes the dynaturtle microworld to teach elementary and middle school students about Newton's laws of motion. Design considerations for computer-based microworlds that represent a compromise between the philosophies of constructivism and direct instruction are presented. (91…

Reviews problems with educational software and presents a framework for educational software design, focusing on topic selection, knowledge presentation (simplicity, presentation, program control, structure versus exploration, navigation), knowledge construction (multiple choice, tasks, case studies) and evaluation. (PEN)

Provides an overview of the articles in this issue that address the role of teachers and instructional technology; preservice teacher training in telecommunications; voice mail; courses using computer conferencing; and various aspects of software and courseware development and usage, including the portability of courseware to China. (LRW)

Provides an overview of recent changes in calculus education at Chinese colleges and universities. Focuses on the changes parallel to the development of computer-assisted instruction (CAI) technology and software. Discusses how the wide application of mathematical CAI software has greatly facilitated mathematical experimentation and offerings of…

Describes ongoing work in designing modular software components based on open standards and a specific instructional design theoryuinstructional transaction theory. Focuses on applied technological solutions to overcome identified limitations of current authoring environments, including proprietary architectures, instructional design theory…

Presents results of experiments with the use of adaptable courseware. Discusses characteristics of educational software and influences on curricular implementation; adaptable educational software; applied adaptable courseware and related adaptation instruments; the research method; and experimental results. Concludes that adaptable courseware will…

This paper presents a slide presentation software that incorporates a concept map, which explicitly shows how the various slides (and other multimedia components) presented are related to each other. Furthermore, presentations are conceived as hypermedia systems, where the presenter can navigate among slides (and the concept map) instead of the…

Argues that, despite the popularity of Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL), there is little evidence supporting the effectiveness of educational technology in producing positive language learning outcomes. It is suggested that collaboration in CALL program design is necessary to elicit linguistic data essential to test second language…

This case study examines the use of a situated learning framework providing authentic contexts, authentic activities, access to expert performance, and opportunities for student reflection for the design of an interactive multimedia program on medication administration for nursing students. (PEN)

Describes the management of the University of Exeter (England) Images for Teaching Education Project, the design and use of educational materials, the production and use of images and sound, and the evaluation of teaching and learning. Discusses processes and outcomes of collaboration and the importance of a multidisciplinary approach. (PEN)

Many new technologies are now available for delivering and/or providing access to computer-based learning (CBL) materials. These technologies vary in sophistication in many important ways, depending upon the bandwidth that they provide, the interactivity that they offer and the types of end-user connectivity that they support.Invariably,…