This volume summarizes projects funded by the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education, examining the various lessons learned. The 39 reports are organized in nine sections titled: (1) "Preface"; (2) "Access and Retention"; (3) Improving Teaching and Learning"; (4) "Curriculum and Instruction"; (5)…

This booklet, which is intended for United Kingdom further education (FE) college staff at all levels, illustrates ways FE colleges have used information technology (IT) to manage their college information and ensure its accuracy. Section 1 provides an overview of the information-related problems encountered by FE colleges and summarizes key…

This report describes a decision-making tool designed to inform English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) and bilingual educators of the most up-to-date participation and test accommodations guidelines and to assist educators in the process of making informed decisions. It reports on the results of a study that examined the tool's feasibility. The…

This literature review lays the groundwork for exploring potential linkages between constructivist learning theory and applications of technology. The first section provides an overview of constructivist learning theory, including the major concepts of constructivism, support for constructivist precepts, and confusions and controversies.…

This paper summarizes a quantitative synthesis of studies of the effectiveness of interactive distance education using videoconferencing and telecommunications for K-12 academic achievement. Effect sizes for 19 experimental and quasi-experimental studies including 929 student participants were analyzed across sample characteristics, study methods,…

This digest is intended to help teachers select good resources to use in their instruction by providing a checklist to evaluate online educational materials. The following major topic areas to consider when evaluating World Wide Web-based materials for use in instructional settings, as well as sub-questions in each area, are outlined: (1) Judge…

A key objective of a federally funded grant received by the Wake County Public Schools (North Carolina) was to develop new methods of assessment. The school district decided to fulfill this objective by developing student electronic portfolios. In spite of careful planning, the development of the electronic portfolios was filled with difficulties.…

This paper describes the research and development of a fully World Wide Web-based credit course in the English Department at the University of Waterloo (Ontario). One hundred students from across Canada complete four exercises in technical writing over a four-month term. In the process, they learn to understand and apply the principles of SGML…

Based on a four-year study of the Common Knowledge: Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania) project--one of four national "testbeds" for the exploration of the Internet's potential for improving education, this paper explores the factors that delayed, shaped, and constrained Internet use in a large urban school district. Although a substantial amount…

Despite gains in many areas, minorities remain underrepresented as scientists and science students. On of the reasons for this absence may be the presence of a common stereotype of scientists as white males. This paper argues that recent research in cognitive and social psychology shows that stereotypic processes are not automatic and that…

This paper presents a content analysis of doctoral dissertations in the field of educational technology from 1977 through 1998. Specific research questions include major research themes, how the themes have changed, how the research methodologies have changed, and research trends. The author's "Doctoral Research in Instructional Design and…

Although there has been an explosion of information and advice about child rearing in the mass media, little attention has been given to the nature or extent of the media's impact on parents or to ways in which media could be used more effectively. Based on an analysis of books, magazines, newspapers, radio, television, film, videotapes, software,…

In this study, the effects of computer assisted cooperative learning method on students' performance of using colours in art education were examined. 15 students at the ages between 12 and 15 who owned a personal computer and had access to the internet were selected to form the experimental group. 35 students at the same time age and education…

Examines the learning benefits of a learner-as-designer environment simulating a real-world multimedia production house and its impact on at-risk high school students. Students showed a significant growth in their value of intrinsic goals and achieved several critical design skills. The experience provided many students, who could not otherwise…

A high school librarian's scenario for school libraries of the 21st century. Discusses function-based space allocation (computer, reference, and media production), quiet space, collection development, reading-socializing wings, lecture/presentation areas, learning labs, school libraries and community service, librarian publication, planning and…