A CD-I disk entitled "KLEINBILD-FOTOGRAPHIE" published with an interactive course in photography is examined as an example of a multimedia educational program. Topics include multimedia in the twenty-first century; possibilities and limitations of CD-I; a description of the program; and its psychological perspectives in terms of…

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…

Discusses interactivity as it pertains to learning. Presents the findings of a survey of primary school teachers asked to evaluate two science-based CD-ROMS and the resulting theoretical framework of cognitive interactivity. Identifies dimensions for teachers to assess (visibility and accessibility, manipulability and annotatability, creativity…

Reviews six CD-ROMs and computer software packages that can serve as resource materials for education. In addition to costs, hardware requirements, and thematic links, includes features such as interface and screen design, ease of access, installation, educational uses, animation and sound, educational challenges and benefits, and student…

Discusses results of a 1997 "CMC News" readers' survey of the top 10 CD-ROM titles used by schools. Compares results of previous surveys (1993 and 1995). Four tables and figures show number of users for each of the 10 CD-ROMs, top-10 rankings for year 1993, 1995, and 1997, increase in ownership of 7 of the 10 titles, and total respondents owning…

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…

Twenty-one schools from the United States and Singapore participated in this evaluation of a high-school biology multimedia CD-ROM called BioBLAST[R]. Results include a summary of teacher descriptions of their curriculum-based justifications for using this software as well as a compilation of program features that teachers describe as facilitating…

This CD-ROM is designed to help school leaders recognize, promote, and evaluate effective technology use in their schools. The CD-ROM is divided into the following seven program areas: (1) "You're the Leader" helps administrators examine their roles as technology leaders and identify barriers to integrating technology into their schools,…

Proposes new ways to get students involved in the classroom by using new information technology such as CD-ROM atlases. Maintains that using technology in the classroom allows students to learn at different rates, promotes critical thinking and problem solving, and encourages global awareness. Includes an evaluation of several CD-ROM atlases. (MJP)

Discusses the use of technology to support alternative assessment, including portfolios of student work. Multimedia computer software programs are reviewed; database programs, hypermedia programs, and video portfolios are discussed; technology storage is considered; and future possibilities are suggested, including hardware options. (Contains two…

The purpose of this report is to provide a "snapshot" of the status of technology use in United States schools. The report focuses on the following: school access to technology; student use of computers; evaluating the impact of educational technology; connecting teachers and technology; assessing the content and quality of courseware;…

This book distinguishes between the "must-haves" and the "nice-to-haves" for both Macintosh and Windows platforms and recommends 298 "bargains" in children's shareware, freeware, and Web resources. The book is divided into two sections: The first section presents bargain-hunting strategies (chapters 1-5), and the…

This paper examines improving learning outcomes through redesigning information landscapes. The concept of information landscapes has been a constant theme in the development of interactive multimedia packages. For the user interface to this information to be effective and efficient, consideration must be given to the cognitive load placed on the…

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…