The different approaches for solving problems and learning mathematics with technology are invaluable. This paper describes how to determine the variables of the ordinary annuity equation with a spreadsheet. Examples of future value of annuity, sinking fund annuity, the number of periods necessary for periodic payments plus interest to accumulate…

A typical Web-based training development team consists of a project manager, an instructional designer, a subject-matter expert, a graphic artist, and a Web programmer. The typical scenario involves team members working together in the same setting during the entire design and development process. What happens when the team is distributed, that is…

Recent studies have emphasized the significant implications of multimedia for the learning process. Even those researchers who take a less enthusiastic stand do not hesitate to assent that when blended with suitable pedagogical techniques and a proper design, the combined use of multiple media for the viewing and study of educational material can…

In times of financial restrictions, the demand for more efficiency and effectiveness in the higher education system is often connected to the potential of tele-supported university teaching. At the Institute of Law and Computer Sciences of the Saarland University, international online courses have been offered regularly since 1996. The didactic…

This paper describes the concept and implementation of a collaborative learning platform for school education over the Internet. The authors called this platform the "eTrip System," because they applied it to a school field study. Using information technologies, it supports the whole learning flow for a field trip: pre-trip learning;…

What are research-based, pedagogically sound ways to use Web-packaged courseware to impact student learning? This paper deals with these issues, and provides seven different, pedagogically sound ways to use such software in support of higher education. The paper first outlines several features that are common to most courseware products: one-stop…

This paper discusses the value of merging real-life events with content instruction and provides six sample lessons to illustrate such instruction. A brief review of the literature notes historic recognition of the importance of applied learning, the issue of retention and transfer of learning, the approach of using content relevant experiences…

Beginning in the 1997-98 school year, WestEd staff, with the support of the Pacific Resources for Education and Learning (PREL), worked intensively with a group of five Chamorro teachers from Rota Elementary School (Hawaii) to develop culturally responsive, standards-based science units. The larger goal was to develop Web-based case examples of…

This paper deals with techniques for reducing the amount of work that needs to be redone each semester when one prepares an existing course Web site for a new class. The key concept is algorithmic generation of common page elements while still allowing full control over page content via WYSIWYG tools like Microsoft FrontPage and Macromedia…

Influenced by constructivist philosophy and advances in technology, there is increasing interest in authentic activities as a basis for learning in both face-to-face and Web-based courses. Whereas traditionally, activities have primarily served as vehicles for practice of skills or processes, a more radical approach is to build a whole course of…

E-learning leads to changes in the way courses are conceived. Diffused through the Web, course content cannot be the pure transcription of a "classical" course. The students need to personalize it and to access it when they need it (just-in-time). The MEMORAe project aims at applying knowledge management techniques to improve the…

This paper examines the implementation of 3D simulation through the development of the Avenor Virtual Trainer and how situated learning and fidelity of model representation become the basis for more effective Interactive Multimedia Training Situations. The discussion will focus of some principles concerned with situated training, simulation,…

The rapid growth of Web-based instruction has raised many questions about the quality of online courses. It appears that many online courses are simply modeled after traditional forms of instruction instead of incorporating a design that takes advantage of the unique capabilities of Web-based learning environments. This paper describes a research…

Current e-learning models have been criticized by constructivists for providing content without a learning social context and have argued that such learning contexts need to be designed into e-learning programs. This paper takes issue with this approach, suggesting that it unnecessarily imports into e-learning assumptions and strategies from the…

This paper deals with a survey on three case studies of various arrangements for intercultural learning via the Internet in Europe. On the one hand, the empirical research is based on theoretical reflections about intercultural competence needed in a multicultural society, and on the other hand, it is grounded in the pedagogical discussion of…