Discusses the growth of distance education courses and presents a checklist of 25 course design principles that faculty can use to critique or evaluate their Web-based online course sites. Highlights include authority; bias; citations; graphics; help systems; student performance records; links; multimedia; navigation; printing; site structure; and…

Provides a conceptual model for a Web-based Knowledge Construction Support System (KCSS) that helps learners acquire factual knowledge and supports the construction of new knowledge through individual internalization and collaboration with other people. Considers learning communities, motivation, cognitive styles, learning strategies,…

Explores the concept of electronic books and how they fit in with educational technology. Topics include new portable devices that store multiple electronic books; multimedia capabilities; the ability to connect with other electronic devices, including computer networks; and future possibilities that may depend on the acceptance of change. (LRW)

Discussion of the integration of educational technology focuses on Internet integration in classrooms and its effect on students' learning and teacher-student relationships. Describes results of a study of Internet use among undergraduates, including positive and negative influences on student learning and the effects of Internet use on classroom…

Discussion of ways to blend onsite and online staff development training focuses on teachers' continuing education needs. Considers theory, modeling, and practice, and describes a collaborative program in a rural area in Ohio that offers a combination of online learning and live instruction that allows for peer interaction and practice. (LRW)

Develops a model of users' perceptions of Web technology as a training tool. Discusses users' attitudes toward Web-based environments that integrate the Technology Acceptance Model, Social Cognitive Theory, motivational perspective, self-efficacy perspective, and attitude in order to develop a new aspect of users' perceptions toward Web-based…

Considers issues relating to virtual schools. Topics include types of virtual schools; predictions of the ways technology will change society; quality assurance; costs; parental supervision; teaching without body language cues; socialization and the aims of education; and culture shifts and computer-mediated technology. (LRW)

Discussion of knowledge management in business focuses on performance-centered design, an approach to designing business applications that aims to allow inexperienced users to complete tasks successfully while still accommodating experienced users. Discusses context, experience, information, and integrating performance centered design into…

Discusses the amount of money being spent to buy computers for classrooms and emphasizes the need for more money to be spent on teacher training to successfully integrate computers into the curriculum. Reviews state surveys on technology plans and teacher training and considers the effects of staff development on student achievement. (LRW)

In the fall of 2003, the State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) commissioned the Metiri Group to conduct a national survey on the first year of implementation of the No Child Left Behind, Title II, Part D, Enhancing Education through Technology program. The findings in this report represent 46 states and the District of…

mmunications Systems, benefits from the high proportion of use of electronic communications, namely email, which allows fast turnaround of questions, yet is not intrusive. However, it is deemed essential that hard copy of all such correspondence is kept. Migration to other Internet support services, such as the World Wide Web, videoconferencing…

The emergence of the Internet has changed the way we teach and learn. This paper provides a general overview of the state of the quality of virtual education environments. First of all, some problems with the quality criteria applied in this field and the need to develop quality seals are presented. Likewise, the dimensions and subdimensions of an…

The motor control of 49 unmedicated boys clinically diagnosed with ADHD, case-matched with 49 non-ADHD boys, was assessed while playing Crash Bandicoot I, a SonyTM Playstation platform computer video game. In Crash Bandicoot participants control the movements of a small-animated figure through a hazardous jungle environment. Operationally defined…

Colour is a common feature in computer-aided learning (CAL), though the instructional effects of screen colour are not well understood. This investigation considers the effects of different CAL study tasks with feedback on posttest performance and on posttest memory of the lesson colour scheme. Graduate students (n=68) completed a computer-based…

The Special Educational Needs and Disability Act has amended the Disability Discrimination Act and requires that students with a disability not be discriminated against or substantially disadvantaged by establishments of further and higher education. Academic web site developers must take steps to ensure that their sites fulfil this requirement,…