The purpose of this study was twofold: a) to test the hypothesis that participation in a course providing theory and practice in the classroom use of technology engenders such use and results in gained competence in the use of this technology; and b) to test the hypothesis that functional relations exist among the availability of technology in the…

The complexities of digital age pose challenge to existing instruction technology theory as it applies to a distance learning environment. Through the lens of Activity Theory, this study takes a broad picture of an online course and examines the socio-cultural factors affecting the success of a distance course as well as their complex…

Interactive activities offer innumerable possibilities within eLearning environments. As such, one possibility within the interactive activity realm is netconferencing, so as to support the learning objectives. Enhancements within the eLearning environment support the learner?s focus upon knowledge and conceptual framework of understanding.…

This paper reports the findings of an exploratory study that investigates what Technology Coordinators (TC) are expected to do and what they actually do. Schools have invested large sums of money on technology and they have high expectations for the educational outcomes associated with the use of such technology. A question then arises regarding…

The purpose of this presentation is to continue the dialogue on the professional status of and the specialization within the instructional design and technology (IDT) field. This presentation highlights the similarities and differences among the various classification systems, which are used for ranking occupational fields, and discusses the most…

The use of electronic portfolios for authentic student assessment is growing rapidly (Batson, 2002). Creating portfolios electronically offers a number of benefits not available using traditional paper-based portfolios. Advantages include the portability from one application or institution to another, wider accessibility of the portfolio, and the…

In the development of distance learning, advances in cognitive science merge with new technology to deliver instruction worldwide. However, one major difficulty in evaluating the efficacy of these tools is determining which elements of instruction truly lead to observed changes in student performance. As content, pedagogical methods, and media are…

This brief paper describes a comparison of two different courses, both of which have been approved by the state of Georgia's Professional Standards Commission (PSC). These courses fulfill the PSC requirement that all teachers be competent with technology and know how to integrate technology into teaching and learning by the year 2006. The method…

The demand for the integration of technology into our K-12 schools dictates the technology curriculum in higher education. Since the evolution of new technologies is continuous and rapid, it is an ongoing challenge to keep post-secondary education current. Teacher education programs are no exception. Today's pre-service teachers are the classroom…