Constructed a multiple choice instrument to assess the level of competence of students aged 15 and 16 on eight cross-curricular skills. A pilot study involving 465 students and a main study with 9,000 students supported the developed measure, the Cross-Curriculum Skills Test, as a valid and reliable test of cross-curricular skills. (SLD)

Introduces this special issue focusing on eight projects designed to promote complex learning using technology with an associated chapter of commentary. Highlights key issues related to the use of technology and lists 14 learner-centered psychological principles for complex learning. (SLD)

Assessed the needs of two Quebec, Canada, elementary schools for educational technology for the classroom. Findings from 6 administrators and 21 teachers show that teachers currently use computers primarily for word processing and to prepare report cards. Teachers are interested in additional training in the use of educational technology. (SLD)

Describes the development and informal pilot testing of a technology-based model for professional development designed to provide support to teachers in Quebec, Canada. Results from two pilot schools offer support and feedback for the model and identify areas for further research and evaluation. (SLD)

Examined the computer technology needs and concerns of close to 800 Canadian college and university students with various disabilities in 3 studies. Findings indicate that the overwhelming majority used computers, but that almost half needed some kind of adaptation to use computers effectively. Data support the importance of universal design in a…

Developed and performed a formative evaluation of a computer assisted tutoring program to help students experiencing problems learning to read. Initial findings with 12 tutors and 25 first and second graders provide support for developing a program designed with "just in time" support for tutors and interactive activities for tutees based on…

Studied the effects of group formation strategy and levels of tutor intervention on online collaborative learning in a distance education class. Results with 45 undergraduates favor the random assignment of students to collaborative groups and the introduction of tutor intervention during the course of project work. (SLD)

Studied the effects of a combination of student collaboration, concept mapping, and electronic technologies with 26 students in a graduate level learning theories class. Findings suggest that concept mapping and collaborative learning techniques complement each other, and that students found the combined approach useful. (SLD)

Studied the use of a Web-based Computer Algebra System called LiveMath in a computer supported collaborative learning environment for differential calculus. Results for one college class from this exploratory study suggest areas requiring further study and identify problems students had with the "WebCal" system, including the perception that they…

Outlines contemporary theories of self-regulation and presents a four-phase model of self-regulation. Builds on this theory to describe features of CoNoteS2 ( a prototype electronic notebook) that support self-regulation through tacit and explicit scaffolding. Discusses how learning theory can be used to drive instructional innovation and…

Comments on the papers in this special issue. The authors use technology in at least three senses in their discussions, conceptualizing it as technology integration, instructional strategies, and technology tools. Papers such as these are necessary if the use of various types of technology is to be supported by a sound basis in research. (SLD)

Reviews methods for handling missing data in a research study. Model-based methods, such as maximum likelihood using the EM algorithm and multiple imputation, hold more promise than ad hoc methods. Although model-based methods require more specialized computer programs and assumptions about the nature of missing data, these methods are appropriate…

Conducted 5 studies evaluating the effects of a teacher coaching program for use in Dutch primary or secondary schools. Studies involved 18 counselors, 30 principals, 15 beginning teacher mentors, 20 pre-service teacher mentors, and 10 secondary school teachers. A significant treatment effect was found for the coaching skills concerned with the…

This chapter discusses a conceptual framework for measurement of the private and social benefits of education. It relates recent major theoretical and empirical contributions concerning the measurement and valuation of these impacts on economic development to that framework. The intent is to arrive at monetary and nonmonetary rates of return…

Various types of recent research studies using data on twins, from longitudinal surveys of different cohorts, and cross-section data on earnings, all suggest that the payoff to schooling in the United States is high and especially high for investment in college. Discusses why this is so. (SLD)