Instructional design (ID) case studies that pose authentic ill-defined design problems in realistic environments can help instructional design students bridge the gap between novice and expert practice. Over the past 3 years, the authors have explored aspects of this educational approach through the development of World Wide Web-based…

The purpose of this study was to investigate the process used by learners to direct, locate, and integrate information resources for use in a project-based environment. Four cases (n=9, including three group projects and one individual project) were analyzed from an introductory educational technology course for preservice teachers during a unit…

School principals are called to be lifelong learners. The advancements of technology require school leaders to participate in ongoing education to remain skilled in and informed about technology usage. This article first provides a literature review, discussing the need for continuing education in technology for school administrators as lifelong…

This paper presents the results of a 1997-98 Goals 2000 Preservice Teacher Education Grant that created a partnership between the State University of New York at Oswego and two local elementary schools. The program was designed to provide preservice teachers in elementary education and special education methods classes the opportunity to observe…

There is a great need for increased competency at technology integration by public school teachers. Among the best ways to encourage assimilation of those skills by pre-service teachers is to model the effective use of technology in both college and clinical classrooms. Pre-service teachers (n=410) were surveyed to determine to what degree their…

This study identifies 24 benchmarks considered essential to ensuring excellence in Internet-based distance learning, as used by the following six institutions which are leaders in distance education: Brevard Community College (Florida); Regents College (New York); University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; University of Maryland University…

"Theoretical Foundations of Learning Environments" describes the most contemporary psychological and pedagogical theories that are foundations for the conception and design of open-ended learning environments and new applications of educational technologies. In the past decade, the cognitive revolution of the 60s and 70s has been…

Evaluated effectiveness of a multiage learning project in terms of an assessment of classroom quality, and teacher concerns about multiage grouping and computer use in the classroom. Found that participating teachers modified their classrooms to make them more developmentally appropriate, and they increased their use of computers for their own…

Identifies five forces driving colleges and universities to incorporate computer technology into curricula: improved information access; realism of simulation; work-related need for technology-based communication skills; potential for asynchronous learning; and potential to stimulate and support faculty development and renewal. Discusses…

Observed sixth-grade students and their ways of gathering information for a science report from Encarta 94, a CD-ROM encyclopedia. Developed recommendations for collaboration between the classroom teacher and the school library media specialist during the implementation of CD-ROM technology for information gathering, as well as ways to manage a…

Studies the use of microcomputers in four elementary school classrooms and their effect on classroom organization, teacher-student relations, and curriculum. Concludes that how people use a microcomputer, and not the machine's inherent features, determines how a microcomputer will be used in education. (FMW)

Maintains that technology and school reform are two educational bandwagons that promise to improve education. Recommends the use of constructivist classroom environments to encourage student video productions and strengthen democratic institutions through an informed citizenry. (CFR)

Analyzes government's role in promoting computer use in the United Kingdom educational system from 1980 to 1990. Evaluates the Microelectronics Education Programme (MEP) in initiating policy. Concludes MEP's contribution was ultimately positive. Considers problems of top-down innovation, teacher attitudes and training, and hardware and software…

Considers how computers may affect lifelong learning especially in developing nations. Suggests computers may qualitatively change education and liberate existing systems from centralization and curriculum- and examination-driven environments. Expresses concern that modernization may widen the information gap between developed and developing…

Describes a school-university collaborative project in which elementary students paired with preservice teachers to discuss children's books electronically. The project introduced preservice teachers to Web-based discussions and provided opportunities for them to become more familiar with how elementary students respond to books. Samples of…