Prepared for presentation at the 15th Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers, in Edinburgh, Scotland, this report describes a proposal, created by the Commonwealth of Learning at the request by the Commonwealth Ministers of Education, to explore the creation of a virtual university to support higher education in small states. A Technical…

The recent growth of online course offerings has progressed at a rapid pace without regard to all of the real and potential consequences. This is especially troubling since there are many more casualties (e.g., withdrawn and failing students) than with traditional methods of education. However, with caution and examination of the processes at the…

The report describes a federally-funded project at Hunter College (New York) to develop an Internet and electronic mail-based resource for teachers of English as a Second Language (TESL). The program has three major components: (1) the TESL-L Electronic Discussion Forum, a list service operating on a simple e-mail program and offering teachers a…

According to a recent survey of midsized and large U.S. companies, approximately 190,000 information technology (IT) jobs are unfilled because of a shortage of qualified workers. The formal, four-year education system is producing only a small proportion of the workers required. IT workers can also obtain skills from two-year associate…

This paper describes the different methods used to evaluate individually configurable multimedia materials developed for the Horizon project, a program designed to increase employment opportunities for students with disabilities or learning difficulties. The project established a working cafe/restaurant in East London staffed by the students. Part…

Many educators have explored the World Wide Web, and some are now publishing their own materials for student access. Throughout the brief history of the Web, the overriding educational principle has been to view this resource as a storehouse of information which provides unparalleled avenues of research. The potential for the Web, however, is…

The International Seminar on Teacher Education for the 21st Century in Hiroshima explores innovative strategies to enhance the quality of teacher education in the Asia-Pacific Region. The goal of the seminar is to identify problems and issues related to teacher competencies at rural as well as urban schools in the region; the focus of the 1997…

A study to determine the best predictors of teacher technology use in the classroom was conducted for small rural schools in southeastern Idaho. A 40-item survey was completed by 3,500 teachers in 55 school districts. Results indicated that one third to one half of the teachers never actually used technology for any instructional purpose. Over 70…

This book for elementary school teachers presents a rationale for developing a global perspective, providing sample lesson plans and a curriculum resource guide. Chapter 1, "Promoting a Global Perspective in Elementary Education" (Ronald G. Midkiff), uses stories from one teacher's global experiences to offer a rationale for promoting…

As faculty continue to incorporate new technology into their teaching strategies, a new approach becomes necessary for determining instructor responsibilities and compensation. New faculty roles and obligations must amend traditional teaching duties, and the basis upon which teachers are compensated should change as well. Agreements, clarifying…

A study was undertaken at Georgia's Gainesville College to compare the distribution of grades awarded in academic courses in fall 1990 with those in fall 1996. Study findings included the following: (1) the overall college-wide pass rate in academic courses rose from 65.1% in fall 1990 to 68.6% in fall 1996; (2) excluding students who withdrew by…

This paper assesses the current state of research and informed opinion on the benefits of multimedia computer software for students with disabilities. Topics include: a definition of multimedia; advantages of multimedia; Multiple Intelligence Theory which states intellectual abilities consist of seven components; motivation and behavior…

This collection of statistical data on school library media programs for 1997-98 is designed to assist local education agencies (LEAs) in examining their library media collections and staff according to the recommendations in "Standards for School Library Media Programs in Maryland." Tables present the following data by public school LEA…

This article describes a pilot study that evaluated the efficacy of a computer-based, behavioral skill-building program in reducing aggression and improving academic performance among middle school students. The program is Ripple Effects'"Relate for Teens," a media rich, interactive application based on combining a proprietary learning…

This paper explores the challenges instructional technology presents to faculty and administration. For example: students will not accept lectures that fail to draw upon Internet resources; integrating technology sparks the faculty debate that the use of technology will "dehumanize teaching and learning"; community college professors…