Collaborative learning provides students with vital opportunities to create and build knowledge. Existing technologies can facilitate collaborative learning. However, barriers exist to enacting collaborative practices related to the coverage of material for assessments and classroom management concerns, among others. Teachers can overcome these…

The authors discuss the notion of Rapid Collaborative Knowledge Building (RCKB) in classroom settings. RCKB seeks to harness the collective intelligence of groups to learn faster, envision new possibilities, and to reveal latent knowledge in a dynamic live setting. It is characterized by the notion of rapid cycles of knowledge building activities…

This article focuses on the practical issues in implementing instructional approaches based on constructivist views of learning. The authors do not view this as a procedural guide, but rather believe that the design of these inquiry based learning (IBL) approaches must be guided by the view of learning represented in constructivist frameworks.…

A discussion of whether learning should be structured or open-ended. (HB)

A discussion of the techniques used by Auburn University, Alabama, to introduce new students to an innovative program of teacher education. (HB)

The intent of this article is to: (1) characterize appropriate content for drill activity, and (2) describe various cognitive levels of drill exercises that may be used in a learning situation. The overall purpose is to establish a rationale and guidelines for the appropriate use, rather than misuse, of drill exercises. (Author/ER)

Article illustrates the types of activities which may occur in a learning package oriented curriculum. (Author)

Five areas are suggested for individualized instruction. (HB)

Article suggests several reasons for the successful use of computers to augment learning and offers some principles and procedures for catalyzing creativity in computer-related learning environments. (Author)

Discussion of instructional design strategies focuses on principles to create faster, cheaper, and better strategies by using unconventional methods. Presents six case studies that show how training objectives were met and discusses basic principles of training design activities compared to traditional instructional systems design, including a…

Discussion of the socially situated and constrained nature of educational computing focuses on situated critical pedagogy and computer education. Four areas are highlighted in an examination of teaching/learning situations: (1) praxis, i.e., a relationship between action and reflection; (2) situated critical pedagogy; (3) interpretive processes;…

Focuses on the use of e-mail games for learning. Discusses terminology; reasons for using virtual games; promoting person-to-person interaction online; how to play an e-mail game, including three examples of specific games; player reactions; design components; the functions for facilitating an e-mail game; and the game as an excuse for debriefing.…

Article discusses the utilization of the computer to enable the teacher to supply alternative activities for the student. (Author)

Discusses situated learning and instruction. Topics discussed include situated cognition theories; prescriptions for instructional design; adapting instructional design to situated learning; evaluating situated learning; situated cognition and the role of the teacher; different types of problem-solving activities; and the work of the Cognition and…

Presents an instructional design framework that stresses the alignment of learning outcomes, learning activities, and evaluation and feedback. Focuses on student learning rather than instructional input; encourages faculty development to enable them to design their own courses; considers course resources, practice activities, and interaction; and…