In this study, computer conferencing was applied in the field of university-level social studies and education to examine: (1) the extent to which it is possible to promote students' argumentation skills through computer conferencing; and (2) whether a tutor-led seminar mode or a student-led discussion mode is a more appropriate way to practice…

The purpose of a symposium on research in distance education was to continue the process of building the network of scholars and climate of cooperation and communication necessary for further development of distance education, and to provide an opportunity for discussion. Four main areas of focus for the symposium are identified in a brief preface…

A perspective is presented for designing instruction in metacognition, drawing on how human beings acquire metacognitive skills and how these skills are interwoven with other thinking skills. An instructional designer must consider the dynamic and integrative nature of metacognition. Traditionally, learning theories, instructional theories, and…

This paper describes the characteristics of microworlds and discusses the basis of their use as educational tools. The power of a microworld as a learning tool is based in the philosophy of constructivism, the Piagetian principle of equilibrium, mental models, and intrinsic motivation. Research results of educational microworld studies appear to…

This study explores the effectiveness of an instructional strategy which displays appropriate knowledge structures versus a learning strategy that engages learners in defining knowledge structures by comparing the effects of providing graphical organizers in the form of completed frames with requiring students to complete frames as a study…

Guidelines are presented for the development of computer-based instructional materials. Steps in courseware development defined by M. D. Roblyer (1988) include: (1) instructional design; (2) preprograming development; and (3) programing. The emphasis is on instructional design, the most time-consuming part of the task. Preprograming development…

This paper reports the results of an initial exploration into the attitudes and practices of some selected Canadian distance educators regarding a learner-centered view of education. Twenty-nine Canadian distance education teachers and administrators responded to questionnaires concerning attitudes toward distance education, student autonomy in…

Interactive videodisc (IVD) offers a combination of media with practical applications in vocational education. IVD is superior to videotapes and other media in quality, applicability, and effectiveness. IVD can be used in different settings and for a variety of instructional applications. Although not appropriate for every learning situation, IVD…

This study examines the relationship between high computer access and "student empowerment" at the Nashville, Tennessee, site of the Apple Classroom of Tomorrow (ACOT) project. The study rests on the premise that school learning is a function of the work carried out by students in school, and that schoolwork is experienced by students as…

This project used a constructivist teaching method, "white boarding", in a high school biology classroom. This study was conducted to measure the effectiveness of white boarding activities. White boarding is a term used to describe the student use of a 3' x 2' sheet of tile board to record group work. After the teacher presents a…

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship among students' reports about their goal orientation, self-efficacy and self-regulated strategy, use and their academic performance in a Computer Literacy course as indicated by course grade. Also investigated were students' reports about their most preferred and utilized study techniques…

This paper outlines assumptions and principles related to computer mediated learning (CML) and suggests instructional design and classroom strategies for CML planning and practice. The pedagogy of control is contrasted with the pedagogy of choice and the latter constructivist viewpoint is recommended as the basis of CML. Assumptions about learning…

Learning and information management in technology rich environments is a nonlinear process that teachers cannot pretend to control. The University of Central Florida's (UCF) teaching and information management strategies build on metaphors and models borrowed from Dynamical Systems and Complexity Theories to help teachers and others understand…

This paper deals with techniques for reducing the amount of work that needs to be redone each semester when one prepares an existing course Web site for a new class. The key concept is algorithmic generation of common page elements while still allowing full control over page content via WYSIWYG tools like Microsoft FrontPage and Macromedia…

The shift to new paradigms in education pushed by new media has initiated a critical rethinking in the conversation about and practice of teaching and learning. This paper proposes a new description of curriculum design based on a traditional conceptual knowledge framework. The goal is to make a theoretical contribution for interpreting the…