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)

Describes the development and implementation of a web-based software engine that selects from a database of questions for students to answer and provides immediate feedback for students and instructor. Discusses the results of using this technology in an organic chemistry section. (Contains 22 references.) (WRM)

The predictive validity of active responding on a computer-based groupware system was examined with 48 second graders. Results showed that active responding correlated highly with initial and final performance measures and that active responding contributed significantly to predicting final performance when initial performance was controlled.…

This article provides background information about distance learning, the rationale for it, descriptions of three distance learning programs designed specifically for gifted students, and the pros and cons of providing instruction using this method of delivery. The ability of distance learning to provide access to higher level coursework is…

Provides definitions of the following words and phrases that are related to technology and its use in the social sciences classroom: CD-ROM, database, discussion group, e-mail, hypertext and hypermedia, Internet, simulation, spreadsheets, virtual field trip, and World Wide Web. (AEF)