This issue of CPRE Policy Briefs looks at findings from the Consortium for Policy Research in Education's (CPRE) study of how central office and school staff in three urban districts made decisions about instructional improvement strategies, and how much weight they gave to evidence. The three districts, in three different states, had enrollments…

This Brief is the third in the Consortium for Policy Research in Education's (CPRE) series reporting on the policy implications of Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) data. It summarizes results of recently completed research that explores in greater detail questions raised in initial analyses. Earlier analyses were based…

Teaching young children to read is the most critical educational priority facing this country. Encouragingly, this is an area where some of the best and most rigorous scientifically based research is available. The Reading First program helps States and districts apply this research--and the proven instructional and assessment tools consistent…

This paper reviews findings from two years of evaluation of Intel[R] Teach to the Future, a professional development program focused on improving classroom technology integration. Intel[R] Teach to the Future is a 3-year, international effort supported by the Intel[R] Corporation. The program uses a train-the-trainer model to deliver a curriculum…

This proceedings of the seventh annual Mid-South Instructional Technology Conference on Teaching, Learning, and Technology contains the following papers: "A Tale of Two Classes: Face-to-Face versus Online" (Carol Wilson); "Best Practices in Organization Highlighting 360 Degree Feedback" (Bonita Barger); "Collaborating Online To Teach Information…

This document contains the papers on preservice teacher education from the SITE (Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education) 2001 conference. Topics covered include: preparing tomorrow's teachers; insights for pre-service teachers about computer use; geographic information systems in teacher education; digital cameras in education;…

This document contains the papers on the PT3 (Preparing Tomorrow's Teachers to use Technology) program from the SITE (Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education) 2001 conference. Topics covered include: modeling instruction with modern information and communications technology; transforming computer coursework for preservice…

This research study focuses an historical case study on a large-scale intervention called Florida SchoolYear (SY2000), which was a visionary example of how the state of Florida tried to design and develop a means for delivering quality education. By studying the Florida SY2000 Initiative, this research study examined issue-oriented questions…

The continual evolution of the national technology standards creates a continual state of flux within the world of instructional technology. However, this creative online environment offers the possibilities that may not be available within other specialization areas; namely, the opportunity to reinvent conceptual frameworks of understanding and…

The purpose of this study is to examine how technology, namely virtual reality (VR), can be developed as a critical pedagogical tool. More specifically, the study explores whether the use of VR can challenge the traditional lecture format and make the classroom a more student-centered environment. In this instance, VR is defined as a set of…

As the World Wide Web becomes part of mainstream learning and teaching at Australian universities, changes to online learning include a proliferation in the use of commercial learning environments and in the movement of institutional processes online. These changes indicate that now is an appropriate time to plan for the future. The University of…

This paper examines the perceptions of the learning technology mentors (LTMs) involved in the development and implementation of the RMIT University (Australia) Online Bachelor of Nursing program. This program was identified as a strategic program within RMIT Life Sciences for renewal as there were major changes occurring in the disciplinary…

The communication revolution has stimulated teacher education institutions in many countries in the world to integrate modern technology such as the Internet into their programs. However, just transferring traditional text-based materials to the World Wide Web is often counterproductive. This paper focuses on the experiences of 12 Sri Lankan…

There are now many educational organizations and institutions that have decided to pursue flexible delivery and online learning as strategies. While many educators value online delivery of programs for the flexibility and opportunities offered, the environment offers far more than these outcomes alone. Online delivery supports and encourages very…

This paper describes a World Wide Web-based, generic, inter-disciplinary subject called computer-aided policymaking. It has been offered at Melbourne University (Australia) from the beginning of 2001. It has generated some salutary lessons in marketing and pedagogy, but overall it is concluded that Web-based teaching has a rosy future.…