This paper describes an authoring tool, Visual Constructor, that is being developed to help users without technical knowledge to create and organize World Wide Web-based course contents. The following goals of Visual Constructor are highlighted: (1) it does not require any knowledge of evolving Web technology; (2) the user interface is easy to…

The Electronic Studio, developed by the Rice University (Texas) Center for Technology in Teaching and Learning (CTTL), serves a number of purposes related to the construction and development of learning projects. It is a workplace, a display area, and a repository for tools, data, multimedia, design projects, and personal papers. This paper…

The introductory instructional technology course at Iowa State University is a survey course covering various technologies. In this case, the instructor chose to create a situated learning environment using low-technology everyday surroundings to teach the fundamentals of photographic and video production, linking the photography, audio, and video…

Modeling the functions of a teacher in a computer interface is not a new practice; most computer applications employ electronic performance support systems (EPSS) such as online help, wizards, coaches, and even some forms of artificial intelligence. This paper presents easy-to-implement strategies for increasing learner autonomy by embedding…

This paper reflects on the author's participation in two government-sponsored educational software development projects that used a holistic design paradigm in which classroom formative assessment and teacher input played a critical role in the development process. The two project were: R-WISE (Reading and Writing in a Supportive Environment)--a…

This document contains the latest guidelines for developing nationally endorsed training packages for use in Australia's system of vocational education and training (VET). Discussed in section A are the following aspects of the context in which the training packages emerged: development of the National Training Framework and associated new…

This document consists of the four 1998 issues of the "Journal of Educational Relations," published quarterly to promote student achievement through positive school-home-community relationships. Articles in the first issue include: "Policy Changes May Help Organizers of Charter Schools Meet Expectations" (Alex Medler); "Make Friends Before We Need…

A study investigated metadiscoursal signalling devices used in discussions in a business administration course in a British university, focusing on the use and function of the devices in seminars and tutorials. Data were drawn from seminar and discussion classes recorded for distance education purposes. The corpus of about 30,000 words included 18…

Interactive multimedia (IMM) and problem-based learning (PBL) are both promoted in response to the current need to offer authentic and effective professional education. An emphasis on collaborative work in PBL contexts may have discouraged the application of IMM, more commonly designed for individual use. This paper describes preliminary…

This paper describes a computer-supported environment designed to facilitate distance learning through collaborative problem-solving. The goal is to encourage distance learning students to work together, in order to promote both learning of collaboration and learning through collaboration. Collaboration is defined as working together on a common…

This study sought to determine characteristics of schools and districts that enjoy the public's strong confidence and to explore how these characteristics are created and retained. A screening procedure produced useable data from 181 "high-confidence" public schools, 30 private schools, and 45 school districts. As part of a preliminary…

Several features of Beeby's model (1966) of the development of educational systems in developing countries served as the theoretical basis for the Malaysian Teacher Education Project (MTEP). These features include: the qualitative aspects of teaching, a focus on qualitative change, an emphasis on the realistic rate of such change in practice, and…

Since 1988, the Achievement Formula/TRIVET project has enabled researchers at Kent (Ohio) State University to collaborate with a large urban school district to assess, predict, monitor, and improve student achievement. The achievement portion of the project involves collecting and analyzing data on student performance and various contextual…

This book presents a selection of readings that address multiculturalism and school restructuring as a reference for schools working to enrich their school-improvement agendas. The readings treat many areas within curriculum and student achievement. The 13 chapters are as follows: (1) "The Next Millennium: A Multicultural Imperative for…

This study examined the attitudes of fifth and sixth grade students from Chicago (Illinois) toward classroom climate in an effort to better understand factors that would encourage greater self-concept, higher achievement, and student and teacher behaviors. The study population included 185 fifth and sixth grade students attending the Philip…