Describes a qualitative study of student and tutor perspectives on the assessment of an innovative undergraduate course at the Open University (United Kingdom), which has employed an activity-based approach. Discusses the relationship between assessment, student participation, and the development of skills, and outlines the priorities for the…

Considers the potential of computer adaptive testing (CAT). Discusses the use of CAT instead of traditional paper and pencil tests, identifies decisions that impact the efficacy of CAT, and concludes that CAT is beneficial when used to its full potential on certain types of tests. (LRW)

Discusses online assessment as a method to assess student learning in an online environment. Highlights include educators' perspectives; students' perspectives; administrators' perspectives; online assessment tools and systems; and the future of online assessment. (LRW)

Discusses a case study at Pepperdine University (California) in the Online Master of Arts in Educational Technology and the critical insights which can be used by similar university programs to influence their thinking of how to best prepare future learning communities in virtual discussions. Addresses key issues, benefits, and methods concerning…

Develops a simple tool to measure interactive learning in the context of computer-mediated communication (CMC). Describes the Measure of Interactivity in CMC (MICMC) and examines the reliability and validity of this measure. Subjects were fifth- and sixth-grade students in an inner city elementary school. Data analysis indicates MICMC is a useful…

The Occupational Education program at Southwest Texas State University was established in 1973 to serve military personnel at four bases in San Antonio, Texas. The program's success has rested on seven principles of sound program development. These principles point toward faculty preparation and establishing obtainable goals related to distance…

In an attempt to provide students with the benefit of the latest technology, some instructors include multimedia content on their class Web sites. This article introduces the basic terms and concepts needed to understand the multimedia domain. Provides a brief tutorial designed to help instructors create good, consistent audio-visual content. (AEF)

Evaluates the main Web pages of AACSB-accredited colleges and universities for compliance with the two key laws pertaining to disability-access in these institutions: the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Provides guidelines for accessible development and suggestions for remediation for inaccessible Web pages.…

This two-year study explored the perceptions and roles of experienced elementary teachers (computer novices) as they learned and began using computer technology in their teaching. Results indicated participants' preferences for learning basic computer skills before integrating technology into the curricula, importance of seeing purpose in using…

Describes an undergraduate student module that was developed at the University of Exeter (United Kingdom) in which students made their own computer graphics to discover and to describe literary structures in texts of their choice. Discusses learning outcomes and refers to the Web site that shows students' course work. (Author/LRW)

Presents an evaluation of the use of videoconferencing in learning and teaching in an undergraduate degree program for student teachers in the United Kingdom. Students observed naturalistic teaching practices in a primary school and results of interviews with students and teachers were used to evaluate the effectiveness of the videoconferencing…

Examines the impact of constructivism in online learning environments with adult learners. Reviews theories of constructivism and of adult learning and considers interactive learning, collaborative learning, authentic learning, learner-centered learning, and higher order thinking skills. (Author/LRW)

Examines two Chinese multimedia secondary classrooms teaching English as a foreign language to identify changes that have taken place in technologically integrated classroom practice. Concludes that the traditional Chinese notion of teaching and the role of the teacher need to be redefined to allow a learner-centered multimedia language classroom…

Describes SIDE-VIEW, a computer-supported collaborative learning environment, and evaluates its effects in relation to the productivity of CSCL (computer-supported collaborative learning) groups. Discusses social identity and group behavior and reports on a field trial on international groups of higher education students, contrasting the role of…

Evaluates a training Web site for professional development of health and safety enforcement officers in the United Kingdom and reviews the use of knowledge elicitation in work-based training in accident investigations. Results showed that the training was realistic and that the imbedded discussion facility had the potential to improve enforcement…