Learning is a social activity, which requires interactions with the environment, tools, people, and also ourselves (e.g., our previous experiences). Each interaction provides different meanings to learners, and the associated emotion affects their learning and performance. With the premise that emotion and cognition are distributed, the authors…

Discusses instructional design for computerized pedagogic materials and emphasizes the elements of activity and discovery in creating effective learning experiences. Describes a virtual learning environment designed in Brazil that is open to different forms of use so teachers and students can decide on the best ways of using it. (LRW)

Describes the design and development of a computer-managed learning system that aids in curriculum development. Automated Reasoning Tool (ART)--an expert system prototyping tool--is explained; learning objectives are discussed; representation of a curriculum framework is described; and plans for future development of the system are presented.…

Describes a textbook production project in a Central American country whose goal was the improvement of primary education. Disparities between educational opportunities in developed nations and Third World nations are discussed, and problems with the project that prevented it from meeting its goal are described. (32 references) (LRW)