An initial goal of chemistry laboratory courses is almost always the "proper" use of laboratory resources including glassware and instruments. The proper use of glassware encompasses many topics, such as laboratory safety, technical proficiency, and recognition of function. However, as many chemical educators can attest, at both the K-12 and…

This study examined teachers' literacy and technology integration in their design of Internet-based lessons for Grade 1-6 students using a tool that scaffolds the design process to focus on Internet resources and reading strategies. Twenty-six teachers' lessons on a public database were analyzed for design orientation, goals, curricular…

This article investigates the impact of an audience response system (ARS) on student engagement in undergraduate university courses. A survey was administered to students in a dozen courses piloting the ARS system. On 13 out of 14 measures the majority of students thought the system was helpful. Overall, students were more positive about the use…

Defined a system developed to help the student absorb basic course concepts. (Author/RK)

Intelligent computer-assisted instruction (ICAI) allows both student and program a flexibility resembling a one-on-one interaction between student and teacher. This paper reviews the components of artificial intelligence, describes the structure of ICAI systems, and examines the relative strengths and weaknesses of such systems. (MT)

Provides a rough classification of three basic design aspects of audiocassette production in a distance education framework: dramaturgical design; didactic functions or teaching objectives; and reciprocal relations to other media and students' activities. It is concluded that audiocassettes can be very effective and powerful when developed to…

Elements of computer use in teaching are explored. They include equipment expense; availability of quality software; development of interactive instruction; use of graphics, color, flashing, and sound; learner response; and feedback. (CT)

Discusses learning style theories and shows how being aware of learning styles can benefit both teachers and students. A case study at the University of Louisiana indicated a prevalence of auditory learners. Despite this finding, educators must be prepared to accommodate all learning styles. The research concludes with a summary of teaching…

The interactive mechanism of the Internet allows learners to interact with teachers, other learners, and content while it facilitates teachers to interact not only with learners but also with other teachers who teach similar or related courses and conduct online teaching.This study analyzes teaching strategies for planning collaborative learning…

Online courses may not be for everyone. However, when eLearning is the only opportunity to receive education, it will be one of the instructor's responsibilities to ensure the eLearning experience is as compatible and comparable as possible to students' prior experience. Any online program may have to accommodate those who are limited to the…

Instructional clarity is a cluster of instructor behaviors that contains an appropriate use of keys, links, framing statements, focusing, and examples and avoids vagueness terms and mazes. In this study, students' (N=59) achievement and their perception of clear instruction were significantly affected by both the amount of clarity an instructor…

This exploratory study developed instructional materials designed to maximize learning through individual and group interaction and used the materials to examine the effectiveness of a teleseminar approach for interactive distance presentations. In this teleseminar model, duplicate sets of overhead transparencies with overlays and other materials…

The paper reports action research on Web-based courses conducted from 1999 to 2001. The expression "hybrid courses" is used in this paper to refer to the courses in which an instructor and students meet half or less than half of the regular scheduled meeting time, and such courses are the courses involved in this research. Participants of the…

Teamwork skills such as conflict resolution and communication strategies are challenging to teach. The use of stories may help develop these complex skills. Although engagement is generally seen as a key component of learning environments, what constitutes engagement has not been fully explored. The purpose of this study was to examine how…

The purpose of this project was to investigate the perceptions of instructors and students with regard to delivering effective instruction in synchronous learning environments. The specific research goals were to attain an evaluation of the quality of distance education courses, to determine the effectiveness of the delivery medium, and to examine…