Virtual reality (VR) can create a unique and interesting environment in which students at a distance can explore and investigate objects or scenes via the World Wide Web. Creating these VR components is a process that is much more simple than many believe. This paper outlines when using VR may be appropriate in instructional settings and describes…

This report describes a program to produce four videotapes to be used to enhance previously produced materials that integrated teaching about alternative dispute processes into standard first-year law school courses at the University of Missouri-Columbia (UM-C). Another objective of this project was a comparative evaluation of the previously…

This paper describes the use of Java to develop a variety of educational materials to supplement both traditional instruction and Internet-based instruction. Efforts have focused on three projects that vary in course level, content, and style of interaction. Unlike the simple Java applets on the Web, these are very sophisticated simulation…

This paper describes the state of the "WWW & Over" project to design techniques for the remote control of hypermedia teaching materials. It reviews the main features of the new version of the prototype for distance teaching, where teacher and students interact at a distance in real time on teaching materials created by the teacher. Also described…

What are research-based, pedagogically sound ways to use Web-packaged courseware to impact student learning? This paper deals with these issues, and provides seven different, pedagogically sound ways to use such software in support of higher education. The paper first outlines several features that are common to most courseware products: one-stop…

This paper deals with techniques for reducing the amount of work that needs to be redone each semester when one prepares an existing course Web site for a new class. The key concept is algorithmic generation of common page elements while still allowing full control over page content via WYSIWYG tools like Microsoft FrontPage and Macromedia…

This paper investigates how computer support for vicarious learning can be implemented by taking a principled approach to selecting and combining different media to capture educational dialogues. The main goal is to create vicarious learning materials of appropriate pedagogic content and production quality, and at the same time minimize the…

Previous research into the behavior of students while learning to program by automatically recording their actions has revealed that such recordings contain a wealth of information that can be collected together into a diagnostic tool that can support students' learning. The first step has been to construct the Coach, a software component that can…

This paper establishes a use for digital video in developing preservice teacher metacognition about the teaching process using a lesson plan-rating sheet as a guide. A lesson plan was developed to meet the specific needs of the methods instructors in a professional development program at a large public institution. The categories listed on the…

This paper reviews an earlier study examining the variables affecting the success of distance learning programs. In 1995, Dr. Ellen Wagner developed a list identifying the following 16 variables which need to be considered if a distance learning program is to be successful: needs assessment; audience analysis; instructional design; course…

Video presentations of teaching episodes in home, school, and community settings and audio recordings of parents' and professionals' views can be important adjuncts to personnel preparation in special education. This paper describes instructional applications of digital media and outlines steps in producing audio and video segments. Digital audio…

The evaluation of World Wide Web resources has become a critical information skill for students. Because of the uniqueness of these resources, new tools are required that assess not only the content validity and mechanical functionality of a Web site, but also its motivational quality. This paper describes the development and validation of a set…

This paper discusses instructional design considerations related to learner assessment in multimedia instruction. Topics addressed include: current practice in learner assessment; planning and presenting instructional objectives; objectives' role in learner orientation; objectives and "Just-in-Time" learning; feedback to the learner during…

This paper describes an ongoing research project that uses a set of formative evaluation activities to examine a multimedia production group project in a teacher education course at the University of Lethbridge (Alberta, Canada). The study presents the notion of peer evaluation and target population feedback as tools for scaffolding students'…

Describes and partially evaluates the Scott, Foresman Reading System, a new set of materials for primary reading instruction. (VJ)