This paper provides an analysis of old and new programming tools for development of client/server programs, particularly World Wide Web-based programs. The focus is on development of educational systems that use interactive shared workspaces to provide portable and expandable solutions. The paper begins with a short description of relevant terms.…

In developing any Virtual University it is important to clarify the differences between organizational structure, technical infrastructure, and content. This paper introduces a model for virtual universities that consists of three layers. The organizational layer defines the structure of the organization and addresses issues such as copyright and…

On April 6, 1998, the Digital Library Federation (DLF) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) sponsored a one-day workshop on ways to improve systems of managing access to digital information. The workshop was convened to provide input from research libraries with a focus on requirements for access management systems that can be designed and…

When basic instructional design issues (goals, nature of the subject matter, and needs of the learner) are taken into consideration, different distance learning models may emerge as appropriate for different learning situations. A systematic approach to design and development of instruction allows for viewing the instructional process as a set of…

This paper introduces guidelines that can contribute to the successful delivery of distance instruction to teachers using a variety of delivery technologies. These guidelines have evolved from extensive experience in teaching and administration of distance-delivered courses, student evaluations, research studies conducted upon previous courses,…

This paper examines how culture and communication are transmitted via storytelling and apprenticeships. Recent studies are reviewed that reveal that storytelling teaches important lessons to students and that other ancient customs, like apprenticeships, are also possible solutions for problems facing contemporary educators. Relevance to technology…

This paper examines how values education is taught in Chinese and American elementary schools and what values are advocated in Chinese and American elementary textbooks. Differences in attitude, content, method, and outcome are analyzed in the context of social and cultural backgrounds. It is concluded that American textbooks tend to emphasize…

The influences of a student's prior knowledge and desired goal on the difficulties and benefits associated with using hypertext were examined in this study. Participants, 12 students from an undergraduate course in educational psychology, were assigned to either the low or high prior knowledge category. Within these two groups, subjects were…

The guide is one section of a resource kit designed to assist Peace Corps language instruction coordinators in countries around the world in understanding the principles underlying second language learning and teaching and in organizing instructional programs. An introductory chapter gives an overview of the guide, provides guidance to the…

This paper describes how San Jose State University installed adaptive and accessible computer workstations for students with disabilities. It begins by discussing factors crucial to the installation of such workstations, including the importance of understanding legal and budgetary constraints, applying standards which meet diverse disability…

This collection of papers presented at a 1996 conference on children's mental health focuses on research methodology and information systems. Papers have the following titles and authors: (1) "Parental Agreement on Ratings of Child Behavior: Measures of Agreement and Related Factors" (Carol T. Nixon, William E. MacLean); (2) "CAFAS…

This study considered the effects on lesson completion time of four forms of immediate feedback. Thirty-two low-ability eleventh grade students were randomly assigned to one of four treatments. Each student received four one-page social studies reading passages. Each passage averaged 350 words in length. Eight 4-alternative multiple choice…

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Libraries intend to provide a gateway from the campus-wide telecommunications network into the electronic, printed, and human resources offered by the library systems. The design of such a gateway requires an understanding of both current and potential library users, the needs of those users, their…

Teacher education has long been criticized for the absence of a theoretical base. From a multicultural perspective, this dilemma has created an untenable situation because it calls into question the effectiveness of the training teachers receive in this area. This paper consists of a three-part discussion and explores possible foundations for a…

The progress of an Improving the Efficiency of Educational Systems (IEES) Project initiative toward developing a prototype indicator system for tracking the overall education systems in participating countries, is described in this interim report. Two needed dimensions were identified during the development of the model: (1) incorporate…