This theme issue on entertainment provides an annotated listing of Web sites, CD-ROMs and software, videos, books, and other resources related to entertainment to be used with K-8 students. Sidebars highlight movies, virtual expeditions, children's television, and advertising on the World Wide Web. Suggested activities are included. (MES)

Examines the need for virtual workspaces and describes the architecture, design, and development of GroupSystems for the World Wide Web (GSWeb), an HTML/JavaScript Web-based Group Support System (GSS). GSWeb, an application interface similar to a Graphical User Interface (GUI), is currently used by teams around the world and relies on user…

Reports the preliminary results of a research project that investigated the phenomenon of disorientation in hypertexts with middle school students. Presents experiences in setting up a benchmark for measuring this phenomenon and lessons learned regarding measuring the performance of people using hypertext technology in an educational environment.…

Character strings were planted in a World Wide Web site (Project Whistlestop) to test indexing and retrieval rates of five Web search tools (Lycos, infoseek, AltaVista, Yahoo, Excite). It was found that search tools indexed few of the planted character strings, none indexed the META descriptor tag, and only Excite indexed into the 3rd-4th site…

Describes experiences of the Computers in Teaching Initiatives (CTI) centers for chemistry and physics which provide support to academic staff in universities in the United Kingdom who are using communications and information technology. Topics include funding by the Teaching and Learning Technology Programme (TLTP); courseware development; and…

Describes a staff-development course for middle school teachers which builds a collaborative learning environment using the Internet and Lotus Notes Learning Space. The course features activities that demonstrate performance outcomes, interactive instructional strategies, authentic assessment, and a student-centered learning environment that…

Discusses the Baltimore Learning Community Project, a collaborative effort that includes the Baltimore City Public Schools, the University of Maryland (UM), and Johns Hopkins University. Focuses on the UM component that involves the development of telecommunications software applications for middle school science and social studies teachers.…

Mentoring and teacher collaboration may be part of an effective reform program in Lithuania, but they are insufficient in themselves. Lithuanian educators also need materials and resources, such as printed texts and computer hardware and software. U.S. support should assume the posture of careful listener and willing instructor. (26 references)…

Discusses delivery systems in distance education and suggests that too much time is spent on choosing a delivery system rather than analyzing distance education as a whole. Presents a distance-education hierarchy that includes hardware systems, software systems, telecommunications systems, instructional systems, educational systems, societal…

Addresses the question of how far superficial aspects of software can affect the performance of girls and boys on computer-based problem-solving tasks. Finds, in two tests, a significant gender by software interaction, with girls' performances being highly influenced by the software version. Suggests that children's response to computers are…

Two studies compared handwriting, word processing, and word prediction with speech-synthesis software (PR) with three intermediate-grade students with severe spelling problems. Results suggested that PR software can improve the writing of such students under certain circumstances but that constraints, such as the difficulty of using the software,…

Highlights methods of teaching grammar that have been adapted for computer-assisted language learning. (Author/VWL)

Describes the development of an Interactive Teaching and Learning Environment for Graph Sketching (ITALEGS) of polynomial graphs at the college level. Highlights include hypermedia examples, the design of questionnaires for evaluation, and enhancing effectiveness by incorporating pedagogical content knowledge in computer-assisted instruction.…

Reports results of a case study of the implementation of a set of culturally-based computer programs designed to accompany a college level 1 French text. Findings indicated that understanding college level students' beliefs about language learning is helpful if innovative language programs are to be successful. (Author/AEF)

Describes a software package entitled the "Computerized Cognition Laboratory" that helps integrate the teaching of cognitive psychology and research methods. Allows students to explore short-term memory, long-term memory, and decision making. Can also be used to teach the application of several statistical procedures. (DSK)