Observations, interviews, and a survey were used to study the staff of an educational-technology center which has been producing educational software (CDs) for about five years. Results showed that educators generally approached electronic curriculum development in terms of either programming processes or curricular concepts. Differences between…

Predictive evaluation of educational software is problematic because such instructional materials should be evaluated only setting by setting. A situated approach suggests that appropriate evaluation can be performed by considering interactions between the three principal actors in the development and use of the software: teacher, designer, and…

Several CD-ROM products are being developed in Hawaii as part of MIDAS (Multimedia Industry for the Development of Academic Software), which helps promote technology in the classroom. The article examines how technology provides opportunities for students to develop higher thinking and problem-solving skills. (SM)

In recent years, several CD-ROM-based instructional technology applications have been developed for use in both high school and college level classrooms. As multimedia authoring techniques evolve as important tools for teaching, it is imperative that teachers and multimedia authors understand the importance of focusing on specifically how the…

This paper introduces and analyzes problems and issues in the design and use of cognitive tools in open, user-centered learning environments. It introduces a classification scheme for tool functions, and showcases several tools in a current educational hypermedia research and development effort. Information-seeking, information-presentation,…

Discusses issues that students from a high school and an elementary/middle school identified as important for reviewing multimedia software programs, and includes suggestions for evaluation criteria: entertainment/educational value; skill development; measurement; speed/time; variety; and user interface. Also describes developers' use of student…

This paper describes the early phases of an examination of the role played by Internet-based teacher professional development for K-12 teachers in the implementation of an innovation. The cases developed describe the effect of this professional development intervention on the teacher implementation of the knowledge construction tools in the…

Examines the status, issues, and trends of multimedia instructional support. Presents examples associated with the development of CD-ROMs and interactive Web sites to illustrate important considerations for such development. Some issues considered include: degree of interactivity, performance, accessibility, dependability, and development dynamic.…

This paper describes the development process of multimedia software designed to educate and provide awareness of ecotourism in Costa Rica. Ecotourism is a form of nature-based travel and recreational experience combining a respect for nature and local cultures with economic development incentives. The software intends to pursue the goals of…

Highlights trends in educational technology usage in India. Discussion includes software exports; available jobs and salaries; the establishment by IBM of a research center; doctoral programs; the state of education; CD-ROM prices; and future plans for multimedia centers. (AEF)

The maturity of CD-ROM technology now shows a dramatic change in the way librarians and teachers do their jobs. Among their biggest challenges are deciding on equipment requirements and managing the disk collection. This manual is a step-by-step guide to making the most of CD-ROM technology in schools and libraries--from the acquisition of…

The Nordic Committee on Educational Software and Technology has been overseeing cooperative development and production of software and technology in all areas of education except the university since 1986. Costly duplication of effort has been avoided, and all the Nordic countries have access to more educational software than they could develop…

This paper presents the results of three years of development and evaluation of a CD-ROM/Web hybrid simulation known as Brownfield Action for an introductory environmental science course at an independent college for women in the northeastern United States. Brownfield Action is a simulation that provides a learning environment for developing the…

This paper describes a system called ANDES, designed for the management and delivery of distance education courses. ANDES enables students to study at home at their own pace, as well as interact with instructors and other students in virtual classrooms. It uses World Wide Web technology for transmission and delivery, with extensions relevant to…