This paper deals with a significant challenge in education today: the challenge to teach life long learning and critical thinking skills in Web-based environments. This is a challenge for two reasons. First, business and government are pressuring educational institutions to prepare employees who can think critically, solve a range of problems,…

This toolkit provides tested lessons and a selection of alternative ideas for the middle grades to help adapt and integrate the teaching of information skills in a way that meets the needs of teachers and students. After an introductory section, eight chapters of Collaborative Integrated Skills Lessons are provided. The lessons are grouped by…

This decision tool presents a progression of data collection and decision-making strategies that can increase the effectiveness of distance-based or distributed learning instruction. A narrative and flow chart cover the following steps: (1) basic assumptions, including purpose of instruction, market scan, and financial resources; (2) needs…

This study explored a preservice teacher educator's goals with technology in her teaching methods class at Southern Teachers University (Texas) regarding state and national teacher preparation technology mandates and possible motivational factors for including technology in current preservice education courses. Action research was selected as the…

This book provides a series of proven, practical guidelines for using technology in education, giving the reader an overview of how technological applications in education can be harnessed and developed. The book presents an integrated vision of how technology is related to learning-related change, and how current and emerging experiences can…

This paper is a case study of the development of the "Using Information Technology" computer literacy course at East Tennessee State University. The paper follows the transformation from the previous traditional model of instruction to the present model that incorporates online training and testing. It focuses on the problems with the…

To meet the challenges of a rapidly-growing student population, a desire to increase student retention and success rates, a shortage of classroom space, and the need to maintain quality educational opportunities for students, the University of Central Florida (UCF) is strategically employing distributed learning. In three years, UCF has progressed…

Recently employed teachers in Virginia were asked to describe how well their teacher education programs had prepared them for teaching handicapped children in regular classrooms. Teachers responded that their college courses had paid more attention to describing handicaps and legislation than to development of instructional activities for such…

Reports on an informal round-table discussion with educators and computer science experts about computer literacy and the role of computers in education, which was conducted at the National Educational Computing Conference. (Author/JJD)

Notes differences between Soviet and North American concepts of instructional development, sketches the unique features of the Soviet educational system, describes the development of educational technology in the Soviet Union, outlines the role of Soviet "qualification raising" programs, and summarizes the status of Soviet instructional…

Describes a study comparing learner control and program control, and the effects of giving learners information about their achievements in relation to criterion during instruction. Success was measured in terms of posttest scores, time on task, and number of instructional examples required. References are included. (Author/BK)

Summarizes a workshop exploring quality in education and training. Describes a role-playing exercise in which small groups of teacher participants planned and delivered a short teaching and learning session, observed and reported on the planning process and differences in learner and teacher expectations, and derived a list of points to ensure…

Identifies six significant themes for teaching intermediate macroeconomics at the college level. Included are the need for a unifying approach, adaptability of course content, emphasis on formalism, coordination within the economics curriculum, stimulation of student learning, and needs for assessment. Discusses additional options for…

The articles in this special issue illustrate research in the fields of instructional design and distance education that share the common goal of using the findings to improve practice. Through case studies, the authors contribute ideas, examples, and research data related to the design, development, implementation, evaluation, and continuous…

This discussion of blended learning environments covers: (1) background; (2) why the term "blended" is used, and what can be blended; (3) goals of blended learning environments, including pedagogical richness, access to knowledge, social interaction, personal agency, cost effectiveness, and ease of revision; and (4) characteristics of…