Describes a study of fifth graders that examined the effects of learner control and navigational aids on performance in a hypermedia instructional program. Results indicated that students who moved freely within the program and had access to navigational aids, interacted more with the program and achieved higher performance on posttests.…

Argues that there are no generalizations about what features of technology or software type makes computer-assisted learning (CAL) successful. "Niche based success" comes from a close fit between a piece of courseware and its situation of use that is specific to that niche. Discusses teacher analysis of weak existing situations and how…

Provides guidelines on how to adapt common games such as checkers, tic tac toe, obstacle courses, and memory joggers into interactive games in multimedia courseware. Emphasizes creating generic games that can be recycled and used for multiple topics to save development time and keep costs low. Discusses topic themes, game structure, and…

This theme issue on preservation and restoration presents selected resources for elementary and secondary education that include Web sites, CD-ROM and software, videos, books, magazines, and professional resources as well as classroom activities. Age levels are specified for most materials. I Sidebars discuss restoring a masterpiece, a bug's life,…

Describes the following phases of multimedia courseware production: (1) needs assessment; (2) content and design; (3) rapid prototype; (4) storyboarding; (5) building the course using the production pathway; (6) usability testing; (7) quality assurance and testing. Benefits of Web-based courseware, courseware development team members and roles,…

Describes the experience gained during several years of teaching courses on CBT (computer-based training) design to undergraduate students with varying backgrounds and interests. Discusses the theoretical background for the potential benefits; preparation for lifelong learning; information technology literacy and teaching multimedia development; a…

Examines how the use of server-based courseware development solutions affects the instructional design process when creating online distance education. Highlights include pedagogical, visual interface (e.g., visual metaphor and navigation layout), interaction, and instructional design implications of online courseware. (Contains 54 references.)…

Reports on the development of an interactive multimedia project in which an educational television program and supporting instructional materials were converted into digital data, integrated into courseware, and stored on a CD-ROM. Examines benefits and problems of using multimedia technology in the educational environment. (Author/AEF)

Provides an overview of five earth and space science CD-ROMs and their potential contribution to learning mathematics and science. The software are "Welcome to the Planets"; "GeoMedia 2, Interactive Multimedia CD-ROM on Global Environmental Change"; "Mars Educational Multimedia"; "Redshift Multimedia Astronomy"; and "Expert Astronomer."…

Reflects critically on pedagogical issues in the production of computer-assisted language learning (CALL) courseware and ways CALL has affected the practice of language learning. Concludes that if CALL is to reach full potential, it must be more than a simple medium of information; it should provide a teaching/learning process, with the real…

Argues that consideration of constructivism's epistemological implications suggests that educational technologists need to convince learners of a problem's authenticity rather than to promote environments that deliver "preauthenticated" problems. Proposes guidelines to assist developers of educational technologies in accommodating the essentially…

Examines the issue of help devices for students in hypermedia environments according to the learning context and cognitive processes involved. Describes three main types of learning situations--learning-by-doing, learning-by-instruction, learning-by-exploring--and explores the main cognitive processes involved in them. Discusses specific types of…

Investigates whether students perform best after using computer-based learning (CBL) courseware with three types of animation-control strategies: program control, linear control, and learner control. Results suggest that accommodating learners' individual differences in the design of computer-based learning lessons is an important concern. (AEF)

Benchmarking information technology services has become a vital activity for colleges and universities. The COSTS Project (http://www.costsproject.org/) is an ongoing quantitative effort to benchmark the costs of providing IT services in higher education; the project helps institutions understand their IT budgets and staffing relative to peer…

Purpose: This paper proposes solutions to problems related to the maintenance and update of already existing e-learning courseware. Design/methodology/approach: A structured approach in form of a reference model for the re-engineering of existing educational material is presented. In this context, concepts already established in the area of…