This study identifies 24 benchmarks considered essential to ensuring excellence in Internet-based distance learning, as used by the following six institutions which are leaders in distance education: Brevard Community College (Florida); Regents College (New York); University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; University of Maryland University…

"Theoretical Foundations of Learning Environments" describes the most contemporary psychological and pedagogical theories that are foundations for the conception and design of open-ended learning environments and new applications of educational technologies. In the past decade, the cognitive revolution of the 60s and 70s has been…

Secondary vocational-technical education programs in Mississippi are faced with many challenges resulting from sweeping educational reforms at the national and state levels. Schools and teachers are increasingly being held accountable for providing true learning activities to every student in the classroom. This accountability is measured through…

During the period when the economic depression was most serious having the effect upon schools, the Office of Education presented relevant data in a number of different publications. This chapter of the Biennial Survey of Education reviews the most significant findings in those publications and draws them together as a permanent report of some of…

Evaluated effectiveness of a multiage learning project in terms of an assessment of classroom quality, and teacher concerns about multiage grouping and computer use in the classroom. Found that participating teachers modified their classrooms to make them more developmentally appropriate, and they increased their use of computers for their own…

Identifies five forces driving colleges and universities to incorporate computer technology into curricula: improved information access; realism of simulation; work-related need for technology-based communication skills; potential for asynchronous learning; and potential to stimulate and support faculty development and renewal. Discusses…

Observed sixth-grade students and their ways of gathering information for a science report from Encarta 94, a CD-ROM encyclopedia. Developed recommendations for collaboration between the classroom teacher and the school library media specialist during the implementation of CD-ROM technology for information gathering, as well as ways to manage a…

The College of Education at the University of Texas at Austin is collaborating with the Austin Independent School District to improve teacher education through restructuring of the preservice curriculum, infusion of technology into teacher preparation, a research-based internship program, new teacher mentoring, and administrator development. One…

Studies the use of microcomputers in four elementary school classrooms and their effect on classroom organization, teacher-student relations, and curriculum. Concludes that how people use a microcomputer, and not the machine's inherent features, determines how a microcomputer will be used in education. (FMW)

Reports on a study investigating perceptions of K-12 teachers, educational technology faculty, and educational technology graduate students about instructional design, cooperative learning, learner control, school reform, computers and media, and implementation of a key practice in each area of their teaching. (49 references) (KRN)

Maintains that technology and school reform are two educational bandwagons that promise to improve education. Recommends the use of constructivist classroom environments to encourage student video productions and strengthen democratic institutions through an informed citizenry. (CFR)

Analyzes government's role in promoting computer use in the United Kingdom educational system from 1980 to 1990. Evaluates the Microelectronics Education Programme (MEP) in initiating policy. Concludes MEP's contribution was ultimately positive. Considers problems of top-down innovation, teacher attitudes and training, and hardware and software…

Considers how computers may affect lifelong learning especially in developing nations. Suggests computers may qualitatively change education and liberate existing systems from centralization and curriculum- and examination-driven environments. Expresses concern that modernization may widen the information gap between developed and developing…

Describes a school-university collaborative project in which elementary students paired with preservice teachers to discuss children's books electronically. The project introduced preservice teachers to Web-based discussions and provided opportunities for them to become more familiar with how elementary students respond to books. Samples of…

The Technology Scholarship Program for Alabama Teachers (TSPAT) is Alabama's commitment to training its public school teachers in across-the-curriculum integration of educational technology. The program awards tuition and fee assistance to teachers to improve Alabama public education. Alabama is empowering its teachers by providing this funding…