South Africa's higher education policies have opened up access to university for students from diverse backgrounds, with different learning styles, levels of motivation and levels of preparedness. This has necessitated a move from the lecture style of teaching to innovative teaching styles that engage the learners and equip them with skills to…

"I am shortlisting a candidate with GCSE in English and another with Level 2 in Literacy; does it mean they have the same skill at the same level? Also what is Key Skills in Communication? I am confused!" There are many different qualifications available in the lifelong learning sector and it is not always easy to see how they relate to…

Harnessing student energy for the positive use of technology in the classroom requires significant change for many educators. Students today exhibit a one-click mentality when using computers in the classroom, and are frustrated when they are not provided with instant gratification. Gone are the reading and higher level thinking skills of the pen…

In response to the need for cross-nationally comparable evidence on student performance, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) launched the OECD Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) in 1997. PISA represents a commitment by governments to monitor the outcomes of education systems through measuring…

Summarizes what has been learned, thoughts regarding mistakes that have been made, and recommendations for addressing future questions, regarding the role of computers in the educational process. Reviews the research on computer based instruction. States that findings are inconclusive and often contradicting. Recommends that different evaluation…

Discusses the need for researchers to determine what should be tested and how when evaluating educational computing programs, describes efforts of Educational Testing Service's National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) to measure the impact of computers on achievement, and concludes that it will not be easy to evaluate computers' effects.…

The Moss Point, Mississippi, school district uses a semantic mapping teaching approach called "Writing to Learn" that visually and graphically displays ideas and concepts. Students use computers to work on writing projects, and their achievement scores in the state's reading and writing examinations have increased remarkably. Outlines…

Educators will face a public backlash against educational technology unless they clearly state what K-12 students are to gain from it, ensure teachers are prepared to use it, and document the results. This article discusses the development of a document describing required technology competencies for students and educators, focusing on national…

Presents response to a survey in the March and May 1982 issues of the American Association of Physics Teachers "Announcer" on microcomputer use by physics instructors. Provides background information on microcomputers useful in determining choice of system components, including applications development. Appendices give information on machine and…

Explores the concept of outcomes-based education using authentic assessment. Highlights implications for information literacy using the following electronic products: newspaper or magazine simulation, videotape production, computer-aided design (CAD), multimedia presentation, and Web page publication. Suggests ways to integrate assessment in the…

The purpose of this report is to provide a "snapshot" of the status of technology use in United States schools. The report focuses on the following: school access to technology; student use of computers; evaluating the impact of educational technology; connecting teachers and technology; assessing the content and quality of courseware;…

Innovations, ETS's corporate magazine, provides information on educational assessment for educators, school leaders, researchers and policymakers around the world. Each issue of Innovations focuses on a particular theme in assessment. This issue reports on how new technologies in classrooms around the world are enhancing teaching, learning and…

Innovations, ETS's corporate magazine, provides information on educational assessment for educators, school leaders, researchers and policymakers around the world. This issue on how classroom assessments in five U.S. states and several foreign countries expand educational opportunities for all students. Articles in this issue include: (1) Keeping…

An assessment model at King's College (Pennsylvania) is described, which involves redesigning the general education core curriculum with competency-based measures. The new learning plan for the core curriculum establishes graduation competencies and regular monitoring of student progress. The plan supports a value-added approach to curriculum and…

With the increasing importance of information technology and access to local, state, and global information networks, it is vital to have a statewide plan for providing all elementary and secondary students with the knowledge and skills to manage and use information. Without a statewide plan, large groups of schools and their students will be left…