This resource book contains 18 magic number tricks that spark the interest and imagination of students as they are led through a variety of mathematical computations and discoveries. Following each activity, students are asked to write about their discoveries and create their own magic tricks. A matrix of skills for all the activities and lists of…

A study elaborated on the results of previous research on the effectiveness of the R-WISE (Reading and Writing in a Supportive Environment) software by examining the effects of the student factor of learner-control and the environmental factor of the teacher's preferred instructional style on student writing performance. R-WISE includes 3 specific…

The concepts of imagery, mathemagenic behaviors, and generative imagery are reviewed; and the learner's use of visual imagery is discussed. Several studies have supported the idea that imagery is an active mental process that gives birth to learning. The concept of mathemagenic control or manipulation is of interest to the instructional designer.…

The predominant telecommunications technologies, video and computer-based telecommunications, have multiple applications for reading education. The telecomputers of tomorrow will process, store, create and transmit images which can be distributed via fiber optics networks in a manner similar to the voice communications of today. Thus, the…

A writing teacher, troubled by the hierarchical, authoritarian design of his courses, restructured his writing classes to alter the dynamics of authority in the classroom. The idea was rooted both in Paulo Freire's writings and in the simple notion that students should be designing their own writing tasks. First, students brainstormed possible…

This paper examines intrinsic motivation by reviewing various motivational theories and models and discussing whether research supports the hypothesis that teaching strategies can influence intrinsic motivation. Intrinsic motivation, also known as self-motivation, refers to influences that originate from within a person which cause a person to act…

This ERIC Digest describes what primary sources are and how and why they can be used in elementary school classrooms. Primary sources are historical artifacts with which students can interact to effectively engage in active learning. Topics discussed in the Digest include: "What Are Primary Sources?"; "Why Use Primary…

Finds that second-grade students of all reading abilities eagerly participated in posing and discussing questions in response to literature, asking more "why" questions than any other type. Offers recommendations for teachers interested in creating opportunities for students to discuss their own literature questions. (SR)

Combining concepts of instructional design with the attributes of Web technology is one way to maximize Web-based learning. Highlights the applications, limitations, and cognitive implications of Web-based organizational techniques such as frames, image maps, and tables, and outlines a two-phase Web-based learning design model. (PEN)

Evaluates six "open" (empty of content and customized by users) software programs using the literature-based characteristics of documentation, learner control, branching capabilities, portability, ease of use, and cost-effectiveness. Interviewed computer-knowledgeable individuals to confirm the legitimacy of the evaluative characteristics. (LRW)

Presents potential uses of cinegrams for self-directed learning; shows how these interactive animated diagrams for technical documentation and training serve as browsing tools for the exploration of interrelated engine subsystems. Describes the development of a cinegram prototype implemented in HyperCard that shows the oil system of a Rolls Royce…

Components of a case-based teaching architecture in a computer-based learning environment are discussed. Highlights include examples of "Creanimate," a program in which students interactively create a new animal while the "storyteller" monitors their actions looking for opportunities to present stories and questions that will…

Provides a critical analysis of theoretical foundations concerning interactive video instruction (IVI). Theories and related research regarding multimedia interactivity, visual features, motivation, and learner control in IVI are reviewed; and the theoretical models of Hansen (relating to skill acquisition) and Clark and Sugrue (relating to…

Discusses the relationships between knowledge structure, teachers, and learners. Implications for designing an intelligent tutoring system (ITS) are considered; and it is argued that an ITS must model the world, the learner, and teacher-learner interaction to be successful. Experiments conducted to assess the practical usefulness of several…

Recommends the classroom use of hypermedia. Observes that hypermedia allow instructors to interrupt lessons for critical evaluation, discussion, and prompt correction of mistakes. Suggests that using hypermedia in class is cheaper than setting up computer laboratories. (DK)