A quasi-experimental action research evaluated a program for computerized self-assessment of reading comprehension (The Accelerated Reader) in two schools in severely socio-economically disadvantaged areas. Finds the program, even when less than fully implemented, yielded gains in reading achievement superior to gains from regular classroom…

Describes an effective model for a collaborative approach to designing integrated multimedia materials for language courses. The University of Winnipeg is successfully using the model to create a first-year French course. The model includes collaboration between departments, colleagues, and instructors with their students to design a…

Presents evaluations of three video-based distance education programs--Star Schools, the governor of Wyoming's pilot distance learning project, and the Ohio SchoolNet Telecommunity. Discusses some common findings and implications for the future of video-based distance learning, including what can be done to make distance education courses more…

Reports research on ways in which university academics design and incorporate computer-facilitated learning (CFL) environments into their courses. The study was based on archive material for 36 externally-funded technology-based projects. Projects were sorted into categories based on educational assumptions and practices, and use of educational…

Presents a new self-assessment package designed primarily for distance students to assess their readiness or mastery of particular topics; it allows a student to self-grade a series of questions, offering flexibility and the opportunity to be awarded partial credit. Results of evaluation conducted with engineering students studying mathematics…

Describes the introduction of electronic-mail discussion into a conventional postgraduate, distance-learning training and development program; provides instructor reflections and perspectives on curriculum development and the diverse communication cultures involved; and outlines motivations for continued engagement with electronic mail,…

Describes a class at St. Petersburg Junior College (Florida) that blends classroom, computer lab, and Web-based resources for an English as Second language class. Discusses paradigm shifts in learning processes and teaching methods; designing student activities for the course; and student attitudes. (LRW)

This purpose of this study was to assist an instructor in facilitating an online course while the class was being offered, and to provide timely interventions for improving the course during the semester. Instructional interventions were suggested and an overall evaluation was conducted. The approach, findings, and recommendations have…

This article describes the development and delivery of a special education program at West Virginia University that offers advanced training to early intervention practitioners entirely online. Initial evaluation data is presented on learning outcomes and participant perceptions. Results indicate the technology was both efficient and effective in…

Describes technology use in Union City (New Jersey) schools. Explains a Bell Atlantic partnership that provided computers; and discusses a course designed by the Center for Children and Technology (CCT) to build student experts in technology, including relationships with community agencies, HTML, Web site design, storyboarding, using Spanish and…

Describes the development of a class at Zayed University (United Arab Emirates) that used laptop computers to make classroom instruction more student-centered. Discusses the design of self-paced materials and reports results that indicated students preferred a traditional teacher-centered lecture course. Considers implications for distance…

Examines the pedagogical beliefs and teaching practices of 17 exemplary technology-using teachers. Findings suggest exemplary technology use, as perceived and practiced by teachers, does not readily match descriptions of best practice provided in the literature. Rather, exemplary use reflects teachers' personal beliefs about teaching and learning…

Presents a study on the implementation of a constructivist approach to using multimedia technology in two advanced language arts classrooms in a public middle school. Because the principal content consisted of written material, the authors examined pre- to posttest improvement in writing ability as measured by trained raters of essays.…

Article reports the results of a brief, computer-based assessment of reinforcer dimensions affecting choice and the application of information yielded by the assessment in informing interventions for classroom disruptions of two students. Results showed that choice (time allocated problems within each set) was differentially affected by the…

This article discusses how the World Wide Web can empower students to think creatively, especially the gifted. It profiles 3 Web sites that discuss techniques, games, and strategies for enhancing creative thinking and 13 Web sites that contain information on inventors and inventions to stimulate gifted students. (Contains one reference.) (CR)