The use of Open Educational Resources (OERs) to support language teaching and learning in higher education has become standard practice in recent years. While OER initiatives have given considerable attention to teacher's engagement as well as the sharing of culture and the creation and uploading of OERs, there is little evidence about specific…

Defines the role of the instructor-user in computer-assisted learning (CAL) and discusses the need to be able to alter and adapt existing CAL software for particular teaching needs. SPELEO, an authoring system developed in France that allows the modification of courseware content, is described. (eight references) (LRW)

Discusses the interrelationships of the concepts of adaptability and portability of educational software. A conceptual framework for adaptable educational software is offered, a seven-stage model of adaptation is presented, and the research approach of the USE project in the Netherlands--which is concerned with the development and use of adaptable…

Discussion of the lack of quality educational software in European countries to support computer-assisted learning (CAL) focuses on a collaboration between England and West Germany to train German software authoring teams. The effectiveness of the collaboration is discussed, and implications for other international collaborations and for software…

Describes Online Webstories for Learning (OWL), a Web-based resource for elementary school literacy education that was initially developed for use in the United Kingdom. Discusses the importance of including narrative, how OWL is being adapted for use in other countries, and off-line class activities suggested as part of OWL. (Contains 8…

Suggestions for adapting automated training materials for foreign audiences include accurate translation; culturalization; simplicity; clarity; anticipated uses, display formats, text characteristics, and software compatibility; costs; and attention to the pitfalls of jargon, cliches, acronyms, numbers, money, sports metaphors, and humor. (SK)

Defines portability of educational software; examines research regarding the portability of educational materials; considers barriers to portability; describes a research project conducted at the University of Twente (Netherlands) concerning the portability of computer-related educational resources, including networked learning environments; and…

Discussion of the role of technical media in facilitating communication between student and teacher focuses on a project involving the University of Guelph and Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University. This project was designed to test the feasibility of adapting computer-based instruction for distance education in a developing country. (20…

Discussion of multimedia databases in education focuses on the development of an adaptable database in The Netherlands that uses optical storage media to hold the audiovisual components. Highlights include types of applications; types of users; accessibility; adaptation; an object-oriented approach; levels of the database architecture; and…

This study of the feasibility of using existing videocassettes for interactive video included field tests with Open University summer school students. The aims of the study were to discover whether video material originally made for broadcast could be used in an interactive program which involves breaking up the intended flow of the program;…

Discusses the portability of computer-related media in international distance education. Factors that influence portability of educational media are considered, current and potential applications in both developed and developing countries are described, and strategies to plan for portability are suggested that include political, social, and…

An interactive multimedia program to facilitate the acquisition of reading, writing, and overall communication skills in children with significant language delays was developed and evaluated in Sweden with two studies. Participating in the first study were 11 children (ages 6 to 13) with autism, 9 children (mean age 13) with mixed disabilities,…

Discussion of the use of computers in classrooms in Third World countries focuses on a survey of secondary school students in Lagos (Nigeria) that examined pupils' conception of a computer and their perceptions of the role and sociocultural consequences of computers in the classroom. (18 references) (LRW)

In the Information Society of the new millennium, the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is becoming essential for the rapid dissemination of information. In this context, Open and Distance Learning (ODL) will have a growing role in effectively training people to have active roles in society. However, modern learners have a…

Describes a preresearch library instruction program designed to familiarize fourth-grade students with reference materials. Reflections on the importance of library instruction are offered. Examples of multiple choice preresearch questions for a study of Japan and suggestions for adapting questions for higher and lower grade levels are given.…