The study found that the actual coursework of 19 medical students following an individual study program deviated considerably from both the requirements of the traditional curriculum and the actual coursework followed by 302 students in the traditional program. Independent study students most commonly eliminated selected formal clerkship or…

Discussion of learner control in computer-assisted instructional simulations focuses on an experiment conducted with undergraduate students that compared three different treatments for instructional control in an aircraft simulator. Topics addressed include performance on immediate and delayed posttests; practice; student attitudes; effects of…

Discusses computer-mediated communication (CMC) in distance education. Topics addressed include recent research that focused on the use of CMC-delivered courses in distance education; self-directed learning and learner autonomy; independent study; learner controlled instruction; critical thinking; collaborative learning; and curriculum change. (45…

Describes a study of fifth graders that was conducted to investigate whether the type of instructional control affects achievement when using computer-assisted instruction. Highlights include research on learner-controlled instruction; the interaction of student characteristics and learner control; and research hypotheses. (60 references) (LRW)

Interviews with faculty in seven problem-based medical school curricula concerning use of student-generated learning issues found that uses of such issues have evolved in terms of content definition, direct examination planning, student evaluation, and curriculum review. Results also suggest these curricula may encourage development of…

Describes some of the ways in which in-house Web-based networks, or intranets, can be used, possibly in conjunction with the Internet, to facilitate new ways of supporting student-managed, autonomous learning activities. Presents a case study of an undergraduate course at the University of Teesside (United Kingdom), and discusses future…

Reports on a study in which 31 undergraduate students practiced academic argumentation by e-mail. In the two "tutored" e-mail study groups, discussion topics were selected by the tutor, while in the two self-directed "student-led" groups, selection was by the students. Results support the superiority of the student-led mode over the tutor-led mode…

Fourth-grade students went to Foxfire Center (Mountain City, Georgia) to learn through experience how pioneers of the 1800s lived a typical day. Their school, Isaac Dickson Elementary in Asheville, North Carolina, has implemented the Foxfire Core Practices. Students learned survival skills, edible-plants identification, crafts, and cooking, and…

Discussion of the new information-literacy standards authored by the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) and the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) focuses on a new information process model, "Pathways to Knowledge: Follett's Information Skills Model." Topics include the role of…

Describes how using conferencing software in a computer-assisted writing environment became a catalyst for a distinctive learning ecology that interrelated prosocial student behaviors, learner-centered teaching, and assessment. Argues that the conferencing class not only helped students apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills in…

Sixth-grade class members met Washington state writing standards by creating their own newspaper and using rubrics to remind themselves of the requirements each article had to meet. Student activities were also linked to the Foxfire core practices. Student comments are included, demonstrating their development as independent, self-directed…

Focuses on the cultural and pedagogical considerations in the design of student-centered learning systems with particular reference to three cases in Singapore. The experiences illustrate some of the challenges and problems in designing and implementing learning systems in three different contexts: local-institutional, trans-institutional, and…

Examines how technology was utilized within a student-centered project-based class, as well as students' beliefs about their technology use. Findings indicated teachers and students held differing conceptions on what was valued in class. Students spent much more time on technology-related skills than on exploring content. Content learning occurred…

An interview with Summerhill School's head describes how the independent boarding school challenged the British government's demands that it give compulsory lessons. A settlement required the school's philosophy to govern the government's approach to the school; recognized the pupils' voice in evaluations of the school; and acknowledged that…

Shares stories from the author's classroom to show how literature discussion groups can help students raise their own questions about literature, and support students in moving away from instructional dependency to thinking critically. (SR)