Describes the status of educational telecommunications networks operated and funded by state government agencies to support K-12 programs. Summaries of a 1993 survey and other recent studies are presented together with recommendations for network infrastructure, instruction, transport, funding, and evaluation development. (Contains 12 references.)…

This paper urges special educators to be wary of borrowing fashionable rhetoric of postmodernism to justify constructivism in the reform of instruction and curriculum without disentangling accompanying constructs and values. There are higher stakes for special education, particularly in national curriculum and testing reform, that accompany…

Describes a study that was conducted to determine what influence instructional systems design (ISD) has on teachers' planning processes and how teachers implement instruction. Results were compared for teachers with and without an ISD background in areas including instructional planning time, long-range planning, daily planning, and use of…

Describes North Carolina's model of community college faculty development that coordinates the improvement of curricula and instruction with professional development activities. Discusses the strategy of basing projects at individual colleges while targeting single curriculum areas statewide and lists curriculum improvement projects since 1985.…

Describes a study that was conducted to investigate instructional planning by university faculty who taught adult learners via interactive telecommunications technology in a distance education program. Results indicate that faculty focused on term rather than day-to-day planning, selection and sequencing of content, and developing an extended…

Suggests that the cooperative learning group is more effective than the straight lecture method of teaching written business communication. States that, in an earlier study, students' comments showed maturation in the area of interpersonal relationship skills. Suggests procedures for structuring and implementing cooperative learning groups and…

Six industrial-technology graduate teaching assistants (GTAs) with prior teaching experience and 11 who took a course on instruction were rated by 140 and 106 undergraduates respectively, with no significant differences in instructor effectiveness. Exit interviews with GTAs led to a recommendation that all GTAs, even those with prior teaching…

Discussion of teaching higher education courses via the Internet focuses on a case study of a graduate course that illustrates innovative approaches to adult education. Topics include myths regarding interactive digital classrooms, designing curriculum and technology together, and characteristics of students and teachers who are most likely to…

Describes "housecalls," a program at Virginia Tech that provides personal technical assistance to faculty, and shows how the program promotes innovation in instructional technology within a hierarchy of faculty technical and instructional support needs. Addresses innovation theory and demonstrates the presence of eight conditions that…

Tips are provided for implementing successful inclusion programs for students with disabilities, including providing continuing, consistent support with structured staff-development activities; eliciting parental collaboration in all aspects of the inclusion effort; enhancing peer involvement, and facilitating classroom diversity by making…

Reports on Jim Jacobs and Roberta Teahen's efforts to develop a systematic approach of integrating career and academic education. The movement began in 1995 with representatives from four Michigan community colleges. Presents examples from various colleges across Michigan that demonstrate success in curriculum integration. (VWC)

Lists eight guiding principles to help Web-based instructional designers. Three areas: pedagogical, social, and technological/support address planning instructional program events, i.e., building the blueprint to guide development and design for Web-based instruction and distance education. (AEF)

Considers issues and opportunities presented to academia by the revolution in digital technologies. Presents a fable for Internet connectivity. Discusses attitudes towards technology; instructional development; distance education; knowledge in the digital age; and change in the nature of the academy. (AEF)

Inter-institutional collaboration and team teaching can enhance distance education. Of particular interest to those who are new to distance education or collaborative relationships, this article discusses several issues that should be considered in the planning process to avoid potential roadblocks and to maximize returns. (Author/AEF)

Describes Indiana's High Tech School project that focuses on using educational technology to improve teaching/learning in high schools. Highlights goals of the 15 schools which received the grant money, including staff development, equipment purchases, collaborations, and student-assisted community services. (AEF)