This paper highlights some of the enduring dichotomies that prevail in Australia regarding the most effective way to teach literacy. These contrastive positions are often used by policymakers and the media to construct the view that teachers are failing to teach literacy well. In uncovering some of the polemical positions taken on literacy…

Instructors commonly assume that the successful online course must replicate its live counterpart by including a variety of interactions among student, instructor, and computer. Given the changing lifestyles prompted by an evolving Internet, an increasing student need for autonomy, and student learning styles, highly interactive courses may not…

This article focuses on the application of Universal Design for Learning from theory to practice from the college classroom to the practicum experiences of preservice teacher candidates. It combines description of two research projects that explored and documented how participants understand and use Universal Design for Learning in lesson…

Information systems (IS) process modeling using the technique of Data Flow Diagramming (viz., Systems Analysis) can be defined as a complex task for IS designers. This study draws from the domains of educational psychology and organizational behavior in examining the training of novices in conceptual process modeling. Specifically, an experiment…

A sample of 48 college students prepared for in-class examinations using two web-based study conditions. The A condition used web-based study groups and the B condition used web-based quizzes. The Index of Learning Styles positioned students on four dimensions of learning style (active-reflective, visual-verbal, sequential-global, and…

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the advantages of using intelligent agents to facilitate the location and customization of appropriate e-learning resources and to foster collaboration in e-learning environments. Design/methodology/approach: This paper proposes an e-learning environment that can be used to provide customized…

The article is concerned with the research approaches and nature of methodologies and epistemologies used by practitioner-researchers in a range of occupational areas. The authors use the experiences of candidates on a generic Doctorate in Professional Studies who undertake a module on research and development for professional practice. They also…

Teachers who use cooperative, integrated methods will produce students more competent in problem solving techniques, communicating effectively, and working cooperatively with others. Benefits of an integrated curriculum include: (1) reaching students with different learning types; (2) developing critical and divergent thinking skills in students;…

In "Amusing Ourselves to Death," Neil Postman's nightmare is that the content of education will come to be determined by what can be turned into entertainment. Where does effective pedagogy end and mere entertainment begin? Currently, education is in a period of transition between dominant media, moving away from print and toward…

Beginning users often exhibit confusion about what it means to be "on" the Internet, and they would likely benefit from a discussion of the scope and structure of Internet connectivity. The problem lies in creating a meaningful visual which would accompany the verbal information. This document discusses an exercise whereby graduate…

In light of recent research suggesting links between learning style and culture, this review of the literature looked at the various definitions of learning style, reviewed a framework for categorizing the types of instruments used to assess learning style, and explored the literature on learning style research among diverse groups. The study…

This paper describes how the passage of California's Proposition 187 (which bars public social services to illegal immigrants) affects K-12, college, and university speech educators. The paper also describes how the Speech Communication Association (SCA) can use proactive rather than reactive methods of interacting with their Asian Pacific…

The Thinking/Learning System is designed to provide students at all educational levels with learning experiences based on conceptual frameworks which transcend the limitations of content. The system was developed around four specific thinking skills (information gathering, critical thinking, decision making, and creative thinking) that are…

Building awareness of the self as learner is central to learning. Reflecting on past experiences helps individuals elucidate undetected characteristics of themselves as learners. Active learners are more likely to experiment with new learning strategies and take risks. Because of their inquiring dispositions, they self-monitor and self-evaluate…

It is proposed that the whole language approach to second language learning is compatible with the concepts of individual learning style and multiple intelligences, with all placing the learner at the center of instructional planning and delivery. Selected strategies are presented to raise teacher awareness of possible classroom techniques to…