States that a growing number of schools are installing general computer labs equipped to use notation, accompaniment, and sequencing software independent of MIDI keyboards. Discusses (1) how to configure the software without MIDI keyboards or external sound modules, (2) using the actual MIDI software, (3) inexpensive enhancements, and (4) the…

Reviews the recent literature in educational technology to identify the contours of research and debate in the current "topography." Addresses the research questions being framed in educational technology; questions that are not (and should be) framed; what the literature concludes about effects of multimedia on the ability of students…

Describes an instrument developed to measure teachers' attitudes toward the use of Web resources in the classroom. A factorial analysis revealed an estimated alpha internal consistency score of .90 for a sample of United States teachers, .65 for teachers from Thailand, and an overall estimated alpha internal consistency score of .85. The…

Web-based assessment and testing systems provide a valuable new tool to the education research community: a tool that combines the ability of multiple choice diagnostic tests to handle large numbers of subjects with some of the greater flexibility and additional information that other methods offer. This article discusses the strengths and…

Describes the hypermodel approach to designing science education software. Hypermodels combine stored or web-based multimedia materials with a manipulable model of the subject domain. Hypermodels are scriptable, and are powerful tools for creating various activities or web-labs that challenge students to solve puzzles, then monitor and react to…

A survey of urban Kansas elementary teachers found that although 93% of teachers had 16-25 students, 50% had 1-10 computers, 93% of which were Apple II series; that the most used technology was TV-VCR; and that 50% of teachers spent less than 30 minutes of class time using technology. Includes the survey instrument. (PEN)

Provides an overview of virtual reality from an education perspective. Defines the technology in terms of equipment and participatory experience, examines the potential applications of virtual reality in education and training, and considers the concerns and limitations of the technology. Overall, research indicates that virtual reality offers…

Explains the multitasking approach to instruction and how it fits to a diverse student population. Focuses on one such program for high school science students in North Carolina. Demonstrates how grouping is an integral part of this approach. (DDR)

Presents findings from a three-year qualitative study of the implementation of networked technology in a K-12 cluster of four schools. Findings showed that truly networked schools possess a unique virtual geography requiring substantive reorganization across schools' practices, culture and structure. (AEF)

Discusses the gap in France between institutional support for the use of technology in mathematics teaching and its weak integration into teacher practice. Identifies and analyzes steps in integration and indicates that the role played by technology in moving from being a visual to an essential constituent of the meaning of tasks affects student…

Describes two civics lessons for elementary school students that use the World Wide Web: (1) kindergarten and first-grade students research the White House as a means to understanding the office of the presidency; and (2) fourth and fifth graders examine viewpoints about public issues discussed by presidential candidates. (CMK)

Provides data from two studies that compared student attrition, performance, and evaluation in classroom-based and online sections focusing on introductory psychology. In study 1 students chose whether to enroll in an online versus classroom section while in study 2 students were assigned. (CMK)

The first of a two-part article introduces the evolution of learning technology standards and key organizations leading development. Presents the integrative collaborative development model adapted by most learning technology standards organizations, and identifies other efforts, beside these organizations, that focused on developing standards.…

Recommends a number of investigations using video-capture and two readily available, non-pathogenic larval Digeneans with contrasting life cycles and behavior. The activities support the hypothesis that parasites exhibit behavior that increases their chances of a host infection. (DDR)

Contends that distance-education technology can strengthen traditional courses in various ways. Focuses on the unintended benefits of distance-education technology: (1) transferable components from distance education; (2) strengthening the organization of traditional courses; (3) extended student interactions and teacher control; (4) student…