This paper describes the development, design, and implementation of an educational multimedia program. The program, "Jungle Quest," combined HyperStudio and word study in a game for classroom use. Methods for word study provide a carefully sequenced teaching of phonics, vocabulary, and spelling following children's natural stages of…

Argues that including computer programming in the curriculum as a medium for instruction is a feasible alternative for teaching problem solving. Discusses the nature of problem solving; the problem-solving elements of discovery, motivation, practical learning situations and flexibility which are inherent in programming; capabilities of computer…

Describes a study of students in grades two through eight that was conducted to determine the potential existence of a developmental sequence of specific association types among children and the implications for the design of interactive hypermedia materials. Highlights include schema theory; word associations; and semantic mapping and concept…

The design of "Probability Explorer" was inspired by: lack of research-based elementary probability software; constructivist principles for designing computer microworlds; and research on children's probabilistic reasoning. Discussion includes the inspirational and theoretical basis for design; conceptualizing the "Probability Explorer"…

Investigates strategies elementary school children use to conceptualize materials in computer-based learning environments. Results show that 80% of the time students had attention focused on the learning material and gained an elevated level of awareness; the implication to instructional design is that courseware stimulates learning motivation if…

Presents a curriculum unit designed for average sixth-grade students intended to engage them in problem-solving experiences and to teach them problem-solving strategies. The curriculum consists of 20 sessions in which students engage in various activities using the following software packages: The Adventures of Jasper Woodbury, Rescue at Boone's…

Describes a project that taught groups of fourth graders how to develop instructional software for second and third graders in the areas of mathematics and science. Topics include project goals for students and the teacher; integrating technology; documentation and packaging; community involvement; and benefits to students. (LRW)

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is now part of almost every aspect of the primary school curriculum. This book, designed for primary school teachers of all subjects, shows how teachers can enhance their instruction with ICT. Chapters are as follows: (1) Introduction; (2) Opportunities for ICT in Teaching Mathematics; (3) Roamers,…

This paper reports on a project started November 1999, which aims at understanding the storytelling structuring processes put into action by children at primary education level. The ultimate goal of this study is to draft a script for a computer tool to support story telling. For this purpose it identifies narrative scheme as the main organizing…

This project established a metacognitive research and development framework (MRDF) and production process for the development of Web-based instructional science programming for early elementary and at-risk students. Mapped cognitive variables to metacognitive learning strategies for those variables, to metadata for the instructional design of the…

Explains the Networked Interactive Media in Schools (NIMIS) project based in Germany, England, and Portugal that is supported by the EU (European Union), and describes software that was designed to encourage literacy and creative writing using cartoon-style stories with pictures, sound, and text with the help of an agent. (Author/LRW)

This paper presents some of the results from a course in art and design. The course involved the use of simple computer programs for the arts. Attention was geared to the development of graphic components for educational software. The purpose of the course was to provide, through lectures and extensive hands on experience, a basic introduction to…

Describes the design principles behind a set of research-based software microworlds included in the "Building Blocks" program, a pre-kindergarten to grade 2 software-based mathematics curriculum. Discusses how to help children extend and mathematize their everyday activities and presents the nine-step design process model used.…

Discusses computer-managed testing and describes a study of elementary school students that compared computerized and paper-and-pencil testing. Guidelines for computerized testing are offered, including decisions relating to hardware requirements, the testing software, and the importance of collaboration between computer programers and test…

Explains TIMA (Tools for Interactive Mathematical Activity), that were designed to provide elementary schools children with contexts in which they could enact mathematical operations. Discusses differences from drill and practice software; provides examples of how the TIMA were used by children to engage in cognitive play; and emphasizes the…