Provides an overview of virtual reality from an education perspective. Defines the technology in terms of equipment and participatory experience, examines the potential applications of virtual reality in education and training, and considers the concerns and limitations of the technology. Overall, research indicates that virtual reality offers…

Explains the multitasking approach to instruction and how it fits to a diverse student population. Focuses on one such program for high school science students in North Carolina. Demonstrates how grouping is an integral part of this approach. (DDR)

Presents findings from a three-year qualitative study of the implementation of networked technology in a K-12 cluster of four schools. Findings showed that truly networked schools possess a unique virtual geography requiring substantive reorganization across schools' practices, culture and structure. (AEF)

Discusses the gap in France between institutional support for the use of technology in mathematics teaching and its weak integration into teacher practice. Identifies and analyzes steps in integration and indicates that the role played by technology in moving from being a visual to an essential constituent of the meaning of tasks affects student…

Describes two civics lessons for elementary school students that use the World Wide Web: (1) kindergarten and first-grade students research the White House as a means to understanding the office of the presidency; and (2) fourth and fifth graders examine viewpoints about public issues discussed by presidential candidates. (CMK)

Provides data from two studies that compared student attrition, performance, and evaluation in classroom-based and online sections focusing on introductory psychology. In study 1 students chose whether to enroll in an online versus classroom section while in study 2 students were assigned. (CMK)

The first of a two-part article introduces the evolution of learning technology standards and key organizations leading development. Presents the integrative collaborative development model adapted by most learning technology standards organizations, and identifies other efforts, beside these organizations, that focused on developing standards.…

Recommends a number of investigations using video-capture and two readily available, non-pathogenic larval Digeneans with contrasting life cycles and behavior. The activities support the hypothesis that parasites exhibit behavior that increases their chances of a host infection. (DDR)

Contends that distance-education technology can strengthen traditional courses in various ways. Focuses on the unintended benefits of distance-education technology: (1) transferable components from distance education; (2) strengthening the organization of traditional courses; (3) extended student interactions and teacher control; (4) student…

Discusses design principles derived from the socio-cognitive theoretical framework for developing Web-based environments to support the construction of scientific knowledge through situated action. (Author/MM)

Discusses the problems arising with standardized testing which play an important role in the structure and politics of K-12 education. Describes the benefits of using interactive Internet technologies for the assessment of inquiry-based science instruction. (Contains 21 references.) (YDS)

Describes a community-based computer education program for the young people (and adults) of Chicxulub Puerto, a small fishing village in Yucatan, Mexico. Notes the children learn Maya, Spanish, and English in the context of learning computer and telecommunication skills. Concludes that access to the Internet has made a profound difference in a…

Discusses a multimedia-based program designed to provide students with a self-paced study of woody plants using color images of twigs, leaves, bark, fruit, and flowers. The program uses Authorware, software that can be used on both Macintosh- and Windows-compatible platforms. This program is intended for use as a supplement to field-study…

Discusses the effect of collaboration via e-mail links on the quality of 10- to 11-year-old students' science investigative skills in six elementary rural schools. The project identified several important issues related to teacher-inservice training requirements, development in cooperative groupwork for children, and software design. (AIM)

Argues that new educational technologies change the meaning of words common to teacher vocabulary, especially words such as "classroom community,""knowing," and "coming to know." Points out that human senses used in learning are nullified if not assaulted by educational technologies. (DDR)