Examines recent attempts by the Open University to widen access to higher education in the United Kingdom through provision of distance-taught access materials which may be studied prior to enrollment in the undergraduate program. The materials development approach taken is a discourse model which arises out of a view of learning as a…

Describes a study conducted at the University of Sheffield (United Kingdom) that measured the learning behavior and performance of 65 postgraduate students using a hypermedia-based tutorial. Considers cognitive style, levels of prior experience, motivation, age, gender, and navigation patterns. (Author/LRW)

A survey of 42 Irish and Belgian blind and partially sighted students (ages 12 to 18) and interviews with 6 Irish and Belgian mathematics teachers found that few of the students took higher-level mathematics examinations, due primarily to mathematical-access difficulties. A computer-based system providing both menu and command (keyboard and voice)…

Explores the "translation-recognition" task, using two experiments, one for adult Dutch learners of English and the second for people from the same population. Results suggest that translation recognition and translation production respond to the same manipulations, except when cognates and noncognates are focused on separately. (23…

Considers college student apprehension when encountering new information technologies, CD-ROMs in particular, and proposes a variety of active learning exercises. Topics include information proliferation, library anxiety, computer anxiety, active learning, learning styles, problem solving, indexing exercises, search strategy worksheets,…

Describes a pilot project with 11 undergraduate preservice teachers who taught technology-based lessons in elementary school classrooms. Participants indicated that teaching technology was a good way to learn how theory is applied in practice, and field experience enhanced their knowledge. (AEF)

This paper reports research on three innovations addressing teachers' adoption of effective instructional interventions: (1) an adoption/administrative model for promoting the use of measurably superior instructional practices; (2) a computer program providing expert implementation advice to individual teachers; and (3) a schoolwide strategy for…

Presents a project in which students monitor their use of trash, input and analyze information via a database and computerized graphs, and "reconstruct" extinct or endangered animals from recyclable materials. The activity was done with second-grade students over a period of three to four weeks. (PR)

This exploratory study of graduate students attempts to quantify some of the interactions that take place between learners and a computer-based instructional lesson teaching basic memory skills. Variables studied include age, undergraduate grade point average, sex, and standardized test scores. (Author/LRW)

Examines how application of computer-assisted language learning (CALL) and information technology can be used to overcome "grammar deficit" seen in many British undergraduate German students. A combination of explicit, implicit, and exploratory grammar teaching approaches uses diverse resources, including word processing packages,…

Some innovations in portable technology are of particular interest to community colleges, where students are more likely to be commuters and/or have multiple commitments. Professionals in campus activities programming can capitalize on computer-literacy course requirements for the benefit of their student volunteers in ways that encourage them to…

Describes a pilot program at the Highland Primary School Library (Illinois) to maintain or increase reading motivation and skills for kindergarten through third grade students over the 1999 summer vacation. Discusses grant funds; pretest posttest procedures; parental involvement; technology use; and students without access to the public library.…

Explains curriculum mapping, a computerized method for use in educators' decision-making in elementary and secondary education. Topics include the role of media specialists with information literacy, collection development, and curriculum support; identifying gaps in skills and assessment; aligning assessments with standards; and timeliness.…

Examined teacher and student roles in, and reactions to, a student-centered instructional geometry program using the Geometer's Sketchpad booklet. Seventh graders worked cooperatively using the computer-based instructional tutorial. Observation, survey, and interview data indicated that the teacher had difficulty relinquishing control of learning,…

This article describes the development, implementation, and evaluation of a technology-enhanced staff development program. The program utilized video tele-conferences and training videos to train five elementary schools in the creation of collaborative partnerships (i.e., team teaching and family centers). A discussion of procedures, outcomes, and…