Instructional Systems in Teacher Education (Insite), a 5-year study for the improvement of teacher education, has kept pace with the first 4 years of its schedule for innovation, experimentation, and research. Many phases of the study are related to the program that permits students to obtain a master's degree in 4 full years of study, including…

In this review of the research on how current computer learning environments can foster the acquisition of complex cognitive skills, two issues emerge: (1) what cognitive accomplishments are likely in the computer environment; and (2) what factors predispose students to benefit from the environment. (MBR)

Examines the literature on the effectiveness of computers in social studies instruction and learning. Topics include drill and practice, tutorials, study guides, games and simulations, inquiry and problem solving, graphics, and word processing and writing. Contains 58 references. (LRW)

Presents a program to introduce fifth graders to everyday economic life by constructing a true-to-life simulation of an economic community. Students apply mathematics skills to managing a checking account, calculating electric bills, and managing shops using computers. (MDH)

Describes the use of a HyperCard-based computer-assisted instructional program at Otago Polytechnic (New Zealand) that replaces traditional lectures in analytical chemistry. Topics discussed include the instructor's role; computer-managed testing; writing the computer program; computer simulations; digitized video movies; and student reactions.…

This study replicated the earlier survey efforts of Carroll, Paine, and Ivancevich (1972) and Neider (1981) on the relative effectiveness among practitioners of various training methods for attaining different training objectives. Ten training methods were assessed: (1) computer aided instruction (CAI); (2) programmed instruction; (3) lecture…

This paper examines improving learning outcomes through redesigning information landscapes. The concept of information landscapes has been a constant theme in the development of interactive multimedia packages. For the user interface to this information to be effective and efficient, consideration must be given to the cognitive load placed on the…

Implications of using authentic activity as a model for appropriate learning activity are discussed, particularly in regard to the design of computer-based simulations and project-based learning activities. Mere provision of computer-based simulations and reality-centered projects does not ensure that a student will derive the benefits of…

Electronic networks provide new opportunities to create functional learning environments which allow students in many different locations to carry out joint educational activities. A set of participant observation studies was conducted in the context of a cross-cultural, cross-language network called the Intercultural Learning Network in order to…

Methods developed by faculty to involve students in the classroom are described in 13 articles, based on the experience of University of Minnesota faculty in the Northwest Area Program on Active Learning. Each article considers: how to get started, sample applications of the method, challenges and how to deal with them, rewards, and where to get…

Project staff and experienced child welfare personnel adapted the Culture Simulator to train child welfare caseworkers to have an empathic understanding of minority children and families in order to encourage and support ethnic identity, integrity, and community life. The training technique used 4 self-instructional modules containing 40 critical…

This coordinator's handbook is designed to give necessary information and guidance to the person responsible for coordinating a training course based on one or more units in the Determining Instructional Purposes training package. Although the role of the coordinator resembles the traditional roles of instructor or consultant, it is not identical…

This document contains a cross-curricular cooperative learning experience that is designed to give high school students career and technical educational experiences in the areas of forensic sciences and criminalistics by doing the forensic work to "solve" a fictitious murder. The activities included in the cooperative learning experience…

A law school course in advanced corporate legal practice is described. The course, a series of simulated lawyering tasks centered on a hypothetical leveraged buyout transaction, is designed to go beyond basic legal analysis to develop professional expertise in legal problem solving. The course description includes goals, syllabus design,…

Training firefighters is a difficult process in which emotions and nonverbal behaviors play an important role. The authors have developed a mixed reality environment for training a small group of firefighters, which takes into account these aspects. The assessment of the environment was made up of three phases: assessing the virtual agents to…