New developments in information and communication technologies (ICT) to support learning have brought about increasing interest by both academic and non-academic institutions in e-learning. These developments in ICT are principally multimedia and the Internet with its World Wide Web. Interest in ICT supported learning is also fuelled by the…

In this article, we articulate five principles of curriculum design and illustrate their application in a third-year undergraduate course for environmental and ecological scientists. In this way, we provide a practical framework for others wishing to enhance their students' learning. To apply the five principles, we created a learning environment…

As a manual for computer-assisted instruction lesson reviewers and as a resource for other interested PLATO personnel, this text describes the function of the lesson reviewer. The role of the lesson reviewer is discussed as an impartial examiner of the computer programing, the subject content, and the instructional design that constitute a…

Describes assessment procedures used to select winners of the EDUCOM/NCRIPTAL (National Center for Research to Improve Postsecondary Teaching and Learning) Higher Education Software Awards program; presents the evaluative criteria used for software assessment; and lists the award-winning software for 1987. (32 references) (LRW)

The use of content-based language instruction (CBI) offers an innovative and effective method for teaching core geographic concepts and skills while students study a second language. This article focuses on a collaborative initiative developed and tested by university and high school level geography and second-language educators. The goal of the…

Methods and criteria for evaluating the instructional effectiveness of computer-assisted training systems are outlined and discussed. (MSE)

The use of computers as an aid to instruction is increasing along with the amounts of time, effort, and resources needed to implement computer-based education (CBE) in higher education. The proliferation of instructional computer applications in the classroom necessitates the development of a system for evaluating CBE as it is used in the…

Surveys uses of computers in ESL instruction, including: (1) kinds of hardware; (2) number of computers per school; (3) ratio of students per computer; (4) percentage of schools using computers per subject; (5) percentage of schools using each instructional mode; (6) software titles and percentage of schools using each; and (7) criteria for…

This paper focuses on computer-based assessment embedded in the process of instruction, with the assessment being used for placement, assignment, instructional feedback, progress assessment, and/or exit testing. This discussion is based on experience in developing and evaluating assessment and instruction materials for college-level remedial…

This document presents guidelines for evaluating computerized instructional materials. Included are reference sources, suggestions for evaluation criteria, guidelines for both software and documentation evaluation, and forms that can be used in the evaluation process. Five separately labeled reference lists contain citations for approximately 100…

Computer simulations are becoming more feasible for use in the teaching of physiology. Discussed are the advantages and limitations of using computer assisted instruction. Also given, are criteria for evaluation and the appropriateness of their application. Illustrations explaining the limitations of simulations are included, as well as a…

This paper examines current practice in the evaluation of learning technology in the UK and proposes a new approach informed by Activity Theory. It is based on our experiences of using Activity Theory to understand students' and lecturers' experiences of technology-based teaching environments. We discuss the activity of evaluating learning…

Arguing that educators may be facing their greatest challenge in decades as they seek to integrate critical thinking techniques into the computer-assisted instruction (CAI) environment, this paper discusses the crucial importance of critical thinking and explores some potential adverse effects of CAI in this area. A brief historic overview of…

Readers and authors respond and reply to former articles on the teaching of grammar in the composition classroom and computer assisted instruction and the writing process. (HOD)

Discusses the software review process recently completed at the University of Kansas that resulted in the adoption of an integrated Web course development package. Highlights include stakeholders represented on the evaluation team; establishing review criteria; identifying and evaluating software; demonstrations; and recommendations. (Author/LRW)