The purpose of this report is to describe a rationale and strategies for use of the Promising Syllabus (in Bain, 2004, What the best college teachers do). This syllabus reflects the learner-centered paradigm where students take charge of their own learning. The syllabus creates a series of promises between teacher and student, focusing on a…

The purpose of this study was to develop an instructional theory for using a class wiki to support collaborative learning in higher education. Although wikis have been identified in theory as one of the most powerful emerging technologies to support collaborative learning, challenges have been revealed in a number of studies regarding student…

The interactive influences of goal-setting and metacognitive awareness on the performance of 89 undergraduate education majors were assessed. Individuals grouped according to high or low metacognitive awareness and a goal-setting or control-task condition completed a decision-making task. Results provide initial support for multidimensional…

Describes the Hypertutor Model, a message design framework for interactive instructional systems that emphasizes learner control, presentation, practice, feedback, and learning resources. Problems with software designed for computer assisted instruction are examined; hypertutor systems are discussed; and MegaMentor, a hypertutor system at the…

Discusses constructivist uses of production rule expert systems that may be used to support learning for secondary and higher education. Highlights include locus of control; and objectivist and constructivist applications of expert systems as intelligent tutoring systems, as feedback systems, as personal knowledge representation tools, and for…

Studied 69 undergraduates who used conceptually-indexed hypertext learning environments with differently structured thematic criss-crossing (TCC) treatments: guided and learner selected. Found that students need explicit modeling and scaffolding support to learn complex knowledge from these learning environments, and considers implications for…

A model of transformational change in education is presented and implications for guiding students to higher levels of communication, critical thinking, problem solving, interpersonal relationships, and creativity are explored. (AEF)

Describes the Learning Enhancement Action/Resource Network faculty-development model, designed to improve teaching and learning at the College of Engineering at Iowa State University. Argues that teaching should be grounded in students' learning, and supports the constructivist notion that learning is an active process of knowledge construction.…

Critiques contemporary efforts to reform Chicano education, premised on "affirmational" education (use of cultural role models to reinforce self-concept) and "reformational" education (increased minority participation in educational institutions). Proposes a "transformational" education encompassing a bifurcated…

This paper describes an example of a course evaluation where the evaluation process becomes an important part of the learning process. The setting is an action-learning based course in an executive program. The participants apply a framework (the X-model) for perceiving processes to their own learning. The framework is presented, and experiences…

Reviews Internet tools for online college-level guided study courses (a term synonymous with correspondence course) and discusses bureaucratic issues that must be dealt with. Presents a model for an online guided study course that maximizes the power of the Internet while ensuring that courses are effective and manageable. (AEF)

Discusses the introduction of computer-mediated communications (CMC) in management education and describes the impact of the new technology on the role of the tutor. The role of the moderator in CMC is contrasted with the role of the tutor in learner-controlled, or participative, education; and future directions are suggested. (17 references) (LRW)

Discussion of learner control in distance education focuses on a study that examined six factors relating to three dimensions of control, i.e., independence, competence, and support. The use of factor analysis is explained, and the roles of teachers and the university in increasing learner control are discussed. (19 references) (LRW)

Describes a study that tested the applicability of the Tennyson-Cocchiarella concept teaching model for undergraduate nursing education, and investigated the effects of three different learner control strategies on concept learning. The computer-based concept lesson used is described, and effects on recall and retention are discussed. (33…

Chronicles the effect of using a hypermedia learning (HL) model for graduate students to learn about hypermedia authoring for the creation of computer-based instruction (CBI). The model details how students feel and act in each of the five sequential stages: dependent, interested, involved, engaged, and independent. It also specifies expected…