Reports the results of a field study evaluation of a virtual role-play environment, "Ghostwriter," which was designed as a preparation activity for writing stories. Examines the effects of "Ghostwriter" has on characterization in children's imaginative writing. Participants were 60 children aged between 10-12 years. Results…

Presents results from ethnographic fieldwork regarding a program to develop telematically delivered distance learning packages in Britain. Describes aims of the program, including building an infrastructure for distance learning and community development, to provide training software, and to identify limitations of attempts to break down economic…

Focuses on several examples of software design that have been pedagogically successful and have demonstrated what is possible in software design and online learning. Contrasts are made with some examples of the current push into e-learning and how best to structure learning environments to ensure student participation and high quality learning…

Reports on a study of the National Policy on Computer Education in Nigeria to introduce computers into primary education curriculum. Focuses on the adoption of microcomputers in classrooms as a medium of continuous assessment and describes a computer package for continuous assessment that was field tested in private primary schools. (Author/LRW)

Discusses theoretical backgrounds for training teachers to use the Internet, including: a history of the Internet, education reform, technology and education, teacher training, affective domains, learning styles, and evaluation. Instructional design considerations are described for developing the HyperCard Internet Primer, software introducing…

Discusses factors for authentic collaborative learning with computers. Highlights include software design, social environment, preparatory activities, accountability structures, and group assignment rationale. Discussion highlights advantages of collaborative learning and the alternatives of individual and large group computer-based environments.…

Discusses ARIANE, a representative computerized mother tongue test measuring relevant aspects of communication and presenting test candidates with a varied selection of different texts and audio material, followed by different strategies. Outlines how the test's objectives were specified, its database and strategies developed, and how the test was…

Discusses the production of multimedia language learning systems based on the "form-to-content" movement designed to meet Belgium's multilingual criteria. Presents research aimed at reversing this movement into "content-into-form": i.e., starting from existing contents, how can the potentiality of a system be conceptualized in…

Library staff at Louisiana State University Medical Center in Shreveport have written two computer programs automating much of its selective dissemination of information (SDI) postprocessing. The software sorts SDI results, gathers and reports statistical data without requiring manual data entry, allows delivery of search results as hard copy or…

Discusses how to improve an organization's training and communications system, both philosophically and technically, and highlights activities conducive to a rewired communication system. Lists online sources on the topic and freeware packages that can be downloaded, and includes job aid forms designed to be copied and posted in the organization.…

Describes a teacher's use of computer software to teach geometry, specifically two cases related to angles and lines in circles. Explains instructional strategies that can be employed to support student problem solving, communication, reasoning, and connection building. (DDR)

Discusses the teaching of linear algebra with and without computer software. Considers class format with regard to computer usage, the effect of holding classes in the computer laboratory, homework, computer projects, and student responses. Appendices contain topic tutorials and sample computer projects. (DDR)

Discusses the use of transaction logging in Okapi-related projects to allow search algorithms and user interfaces to be investigated, evaluated, and compared. A series of examples is presented, illustrating logging software for character-based and graphical user interface systems, and demonstrating the usefulness of relational database management…

Describes two experiments conducted with Australian high school students that investigated the use of self-contained, screen-based material for learning new computer application programs as opposed to using manuals and computer screen information that requires split-attention. Discusses redundancy and the need to reduce extraneous cognitive load.…

Offers advice for colleges intending to undergo software conversions, asserting that sufficient resources are key to a smooth process. Describes the conversion process at Palomar College (California) in 1997, when Palomar purchased PeopleSoft enterprise-wide software in response to Y2K compliance issues. Stresses the ongoing need for training and…