Reviews the literature on the interactivity concept from the perspectives of communication, computer-assisted instruction, distance education, and interactive dimensions and functions for Web systems. Proposes a technical framework for including such dimensions and functions in Web-based learning systems. Discusses evaluation feedback. Interaction…

Describes how an analysis of teaching improvement grants can provide information on professors' instructional choices regarding use of technology in higher education. An analysis of over six years of award-winning innovative technology proposals emphasized the positive practices that were being proposed, the importance of situating the analysis…

Uses case studies to describe how streaming video is currently used to support student learning in post-compulsory education in the United Kingdom. Describes the current role of streaming video and identifies processes that could extend the application of streaming in education. Identifies elements of a research agenda that could further develop…

Assesses positive affective states experienced by users of a one-hour program in a hypermedia learning environment. Results showed that the users of the training program were put into a positive mood and about a quarter of the users experienced "flow." Results are discussed in the context of self-directed learning. (Contains 55 references.) (AEF)

Reports on research that investigated use of touchscreens by children in early childhood and junior primary settings by introducing touchscreens in five classrooms in Melbourne, Australia. Five themes were identified, relating to developmental issues, input device performance, technical issues, individual differences in children's use of…

"SeeWord" is a highly configurable word processing environment, which assists dyslexic users in producing and reading text. Three prototypes of the software were developed and evaluated. The third was used in an experimental study with six dyslexic school pupils. Research showed five out of the six, aged 14-16, years benefited from use of…

Sophisticated computerized school information systems (SISs) will have to provide school-based information relevant to the development of policies in areas where schools used to merely follow governmental guidelines. The large-scale research project in England, reported in this article, goes some way toward filling gaps in the knowledge on the…

It has been observed that children are able to learn to use computers and the Internet on their own, irrespective of their social, cultural or economic backgrounds (Mitra and Rana, 2001). This article describes subsequent experiments, conducted in five regions in India, results obtained, and possible conclusions. (AEF)

Localization is the process of adapting a product to meet the language, cultural and other requirements of a specific target environment or market. This article describes ways in which software localization impacts upon curriculum, and discusses what students will learn from software localization. (AEF)

Describes a survey that was designed to examine faculty perceptions about the navigability and content of a specific Web-based resource and their attitudes about the instructional use of Web-based resources in general. Discusses teaching experience and gender differences and suggests implications for Web-based resource use in higher education.…

Describes a study conducted in Singapore that investigated the impact of information technology (IT) on undergraduate students. Discusses attitudes of teachers on the impact of IT; describes the questionnaire used for the study; and considers educational, personal, and social aspects of students toward the impact of IT. (Contains 21 tables.) (LRW)

Explores communication technology as an instructional tool in relationship to quality of interaction, individual productivity, group productivity, and satisfaction with the learning environment. Discusses collaborative learning skills and examines differences in graduate students' perception using groupware versus face-to-face learning.…

Discussion of text-based computer-mediated communication (CMC) focuses on a study that explored CMC in communication misunderstandings. Considers the lack of nonverbal cues, language and cultural barriers, and differences from face-to-face communication, and includes a copy of the questionnaire used in the study. (LRW)

Describes a study conducted at Brunel University (United Kingdom) that examined the effect of users' cognitive styles on their perceptions of multimedia technology quality in Web-based instruction. Presents the theoretical background and discusses Quality of Service and Quality of Perception. (LRW)

Discusses assessment of Web-based instruction and reports results of a study that investigated whether segmentation of information and the provision of an overview of the Web system differentially facilitated learning performance, measured with recall questions and a short essay question, for individuals with different cognitive styles. (LRW)