Introduces the field of complex learning and describes the articles in this and a following special issue on complex learning in computer environments. Highlights include chaos theory; nonlinear systems; complexity theory, including the external complexity of the domain, interactive complexity, and internal cognitive complexity; and a…

Suggests that in the current highly competitive, global business environment, training on the Internet is rapidly becoming a survival tool. Looks at the benefits and costs of using the Internet as a part of the training package. (JOW)

Introduces "Videotapes for the 21st Century Classroom" for the use of inservice training. Provides useful Internet Web site addresses and brief descriptions of each site for several feature articles in this issue: PS 524 939-940, PS 524 942-945. (MOK)

Describes a system that stores course materials for computer-based training programs in a relational database called Of Course! Outlines the basic structure of the databases; explains distinctions between Of Course! and other authoring languages; and describes how data is retrieved from the database and presented to the student. (Author/LRW)

Studied keyboard activities and discussions of 60 children working in pairs or 21 children working as individuals on a computer-based language problem-solving task. Boy-girl pairs showed lower levels of verbal interaction and less keyboard cooperation, but few differences in task performance in comparison with single gender pairs. Children working…

Summarizes findings from studies that examined whether computer-based treatments search for and/or utilize any potential link between procedural and conceptual mathematical knowledge. Explains how these knowledge types may be linked and proposes two constructivist environments which enable a desired link. (Author/LRW)

Interdisciplinary research is being promoted in many quarters as the way forward, but "research islands" still persist. Taking computer-assisted learning (CAL) within health sciences as a case in point, this paper describes a detailed study of the references to source material within papers published in general medical, specific nursing and…

Computer-based instruction is becoming more prevalent in secondary education in the United States. Using computers to deliver instruction can help to correct inequities in educational opportunities that exist due to race/ethnicity, budget constraints, geographical location, income, school size, and substandard teaching. Some knowledgeable experts…

The differential effects of four task selection methods on training efficiency and transfer in computer-based training for Air Traffic Control were investigated. A non-dynamic condition, in which the learning tasks were presented to the participants in a fixed, predetermined sequence, was compared to three dynamic conditions, in which learning…

This article elaborates the factors that have led to the emergence of the concept of learning objects as the predominant model for digital learning materials, examining the problems that they address. It suggests that while there do appear to be real benefits, for a learning object model to be successful there needs to be a thriving learning…

Based on research in ten projects in a university, corporate learning, and military context, a set of dimensions is found that can help decision makers to develop strategies for reuse (Strijker, 2004). This article describes how these dimensions and their relation with human and technical aspects can be used in a reuse strategy. The dimensions can…

Purpose: Aims to examine a negotiation-oriented and partly web-based game "Surfing Global Change" (SGC) invented by the author based on didactics of self-managed learning and successfully implemented in WebCT. Design/methodology/approach: Along three historic generations of web-based teaching (WBT), the key functionalities of any platform…

This study examined Illinois high school principals' perceptions of the growth, quality, advantages and disadvantages of alternative learning environments. In this study, alternative learning environments involved the use of both synchronous and asynchronous modes of communication for course delivery. Synchronous modes of instructional delivery…

Globalization, networked societies, and a knowledge-based economy engender increasing reliance on digital communication technologies for the dissemination of information and ideas (Castells, Fernandez-Ardevol, Qiu & Sey, 2006). While the technological revolution has broadened access this digital domain, participants often adopt the passive…

A widely recognized concern in elementary school mathematics education is that teachers' understanding of the mathematical curricular content generally appears quite fragmented, sparsely connected, and procedurally oriented. This pilot study applies methods of educational neuroscience to investigate and improve preservice teachers' learning and…