Serious games have a great potential for training and educating people in novel and engaging ways. However, little empirical research has been done on the effectiveness of serious games, and although early findings do point to a moderately positive direction, even less is known about why some games succeed in effectively educating while others do…

Serious virtual worlds (SVWs) represent a great opportunity for learning and should embed a lot of high-quality contextualised information so that the player can take the most from his or her exploration of the environment. This requires defining new methodologies and tools for effective production. We have investigated this issue in implementing…

Chinese classrooms, whether on school grounds or online, have long suffered from a lack of interactivity. Many online classes simply provide recorded lectures to which students listen after downloading. This format only reinforces the negative effects of passive non-participatory learning. At the e-Learning Lab of Shanghai Jiaotong University…

How can we accelerate innovation and ensure effective dissemination of knowledge about online learning resources? This paper advocates strategies that systematically link online professional development with the research, development and diffusion cycle. The systemic approach we describe can accelerate knowledge advancement and help manage change…

Reports on an investigation of information and communications technology (ICT) skills and knowledge needs of teachers working in Scotland that indicated relatively low use of ICT and a number of key issues which have implications for teacher training and development. Suggests that a more holistic approach is required that includes appropriate…

Reports on a project commissioned by the National Council for Educational Technology designed to investigate the potential for interactive video in school-based initial teacher training; results are derived from an empirical study in 26 schools. Training needs; interactive video in distance learning and staff development; and the potential for…

Describes how an analysis of teaching improvement grants can provide information on professors' instructional choices regarding use of technology in higher education. An analysis of over six years of award-winning innovative technology proposals emphasized the positive practices that were being proposed, the importance of situating the analysis…