This is the first article in a three-part series on the use of CD-ROM storybooks, poetry collections, and writing programs to motivate beginning readers. This initial article discusses the usefulness of CD-ROMs for teaching young students in the emergent literacy stage. A sidebar explains how multimedia stimulates learners. (Author/LRW)

Surveys the research into virtual reality (VR) and focuses on the implications of immersive virtual worlds for learning and teaching. Topics include how VR differs from other forms of interactive multimedia, VR and the development of educational theory and methodology, and case studies in educational VR research. (Author/LRW)

Describes and compares two methods for developing multimedia courseware for use on the Internet: an authoring tool called Shockwave, and an object-oriented language called Java. Topics include vector graphics, browsers, interaction with network protocols, data security, multithreading, and computer languages versus development environments. (LRW)

Discussion of multimedia courseware development focuses on a framework of ways of thinking, modeling, working, and controlling the development process to derive criteria for a comprehensive method. Separate quality assurance of both product and process is proposed, and a case study involving second-language learning is presented. (Author/LRW)

Describes the characteristics of the digitized version of The Periodic Table Videodisc. Provides details about the organization of information and access to the data via Macintosh and Windows computers. (DDR)

Describes the development of a multimedia Web-based system in Europe which combines an autonomous approach to learning involving both collaborative and trainer-guided activities. Focuses on the opportunities offered by information and communication technology to the training of technicians who have to gain shared knowledge on water network…

Describes a study conducted at Brunel University (United Kingdom) that examined the effect of users' cognitive styles on their perceptions of multimedia technology quality in Web-based instruction. Presents the theoretical background and discusses Quality of Service and Quality of Perception. (LRW)

Describes what may be the first of a new generation of corpora: the Multimedia Adult ESOL (English as a Second or Other Language) Learner Corpus. The corpus is notable for containing language produced by very low level learners in language classrooms and for the fact that the transcribed language remains linked to video recordings. (Author/VWL)

The need for effective information processing in business and education has created a big market for multimedia technology. This article discusses a study of the project management techniques of successful multimedia developers (proposal writing, instructional design team assembly, marketing). The interview questions are appended. (LRW)

Discusses the rapid growth of the World Wide Web and examines long-term trends and prospects for the quality and reliability of Web-based multimedia information resources. Topics include the Web's permanent state of flux, organizational problems, and the need for standards concerning the quality and timeliness of information. (LRW)

Discussion of data storage technology for multimedia materials highlights a new signature file method that divides files into variable-sized vertical frames to optimize response time using partial query evaluation. Real data experiments that tested the response time are reported, and future work is discussed. (Author/LRW)

Discusses design issues for interactive multimedia. Notes that technical communication instructors must consider navigational aids, the degree of control a user should have, audio cues, color and typographical elements, visual elements, and copyright issues. (RS)

Illustrates multimedia learning materials developed for teaching elementary and intermediate Hausa. The materials, titled "Hausar Baka," are a set of videotapes and collateral print and electronic materials. (Author/VWL)

Evaluated a multimedia learning environment developed and evaluated in the context of a research project on the learning dependent progression of mental models in economics. More than 400 students have used the environment in various settings. Reports on five replication studies of the learning environment. (SLD)

Examines the experience of two young children learning Modern Standard Chinese (MSC) through playing in an unstructured home situation. Reports findings of their interaction with the software "The Language market." he research is the first phase of a longitudinal study of two young children learning MSC in a multimedia learning environment.…