Although structural analysis is a fundamental subject in civil engineering, its abstract concepts and the difficulty in visualizing them pose problems for students. This article examines the application of virtual reality (VR) to civil engineering. Describes the design, development, and evaluation of a VR-based learning center for a structural…

Presents the results of an informal user survey on favorite information technology, including the best features of these. Discusses library online catalogs, electronic encyclopedias, CD-ROMs, laser discs, electronic magazine indexes, online services, the Internet, word processing programs, magazines as major sources of technology information,…

Describes the development and function of Western Governors University, a virtual university, and its implications for the role of the community college. Recommends that community colleges continue to develop the capacity to provide electronic instruction. Suggests that partnerships between virtual universities and community colleges will be…

Describes an interactive technology-based system designed to support special education teachers' problem-solving training for promoting interventional planning. Utilizing the advantages of the expert-system technology in teacher training, the five training stages from case description to intervention planning and evaluation are presented. A sample…

Reports on the concerns of English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) teachers in Canada regarding their students' use of pocket bilingual electronic dictionaries (EDs). The article highlights the ED's features, uses, and effectiveness as a tool for learning ESL at the secondary level and ESL students' perceptions of the ED's usefulness. (nine references)…

Describes benefits of distance learning labs in schools. Discusses funding, equipment needed, and distance learning etiquette. Suggests techniques for making long distance learning interactions more meaningful and educational. (AEF)

Provides information on CD-ROM resources about animals, which can help teachers decide which products best fit their educational objectives and the interests and needs of students. Highlights include quantity and quality, grade or age appropriateness, and curriculum connections. A table provides detailed information on six products. (AEF)

Discusses the power of media psychology, particularly that of the PC, CD-ROM, and television, and its effect on learning and behavior. By merging it with relevant concepts and research findings from such areas as learning theory, cognitive psychology, neuroscience, and systems theory, educators can create a sharper tool for learning. (VWC)

Examines the Digital Oscilloscope program that allows most Macintosh computers to dynamically display the waveform of any sound recorded by a microphone. Describes how the program can be used to illustrate the concept of timbre as well as reinforcing concepts of frequency, amplitude, and wavelength. (MJP)

Describes an exploratory study that attempted to discover the patterns of linguistic interaction of second language learners in a computerized literary reading environment and the implication of using computer books in an ESL (English-as-a-Second-Language) elementary school classroom. (LRW)

Introduces an instructional approach referred to as collaborative project-based learning and describes a new Web-based technology, "ALiVE" designed to support this instructional approach. Discusses information resources management; scaffolding with templates; communication; collaboration; coordination; and technological overhead.…

Japan's Teacher Certification Law and subsequent Ministry of Education regulations required more specific content for teacher training courses. Outlines three goals for an educational methodology and technology course and proposes its curricular framework: practical instructional competences, characteristics of instructional media, management and…

Automation of many college human resources management activities can lead to changes in office strategies, resource deployment, development needs, and career planning. The World Wide Web and local area networking have a variety of applications in this area, including tracking of transactions and forms. Careful planning and an understanding of the…

Networking technologies offer a better learning environment for college students while allowing cost reductions. Advances in networking can alter limitations of time and space, allowing learning in the same time/same space (traditional class meetings), same time/different place, different time/same place, and different time/different place.…

A teacher describes how she integrated telecommunications and Internet technology into her first-grade language arts curriculum. The use of electronic mail to communicate with other student penpals generated student enthusiasm and motivation which improved reading and writing skills. Other projects included researching questions using Internet…