Authentic learning designs have been explored for some time now and have frequently been shown to provide learning settings that provide many meaningful contexts for learning. These meaningful contexts provide not only encouragement for students to learn but also a raft of learning enhancements including higher-order learning and forms of learning…

Fostering synergies amongst "learner," "task," and "technology" to create innovative and immersive distance learning environments runs counter to the widespread practice of incorporating traditional classroom pedagogical strategies into Web-based delivery of courses. The most widely accepted model of online higher…

Discusses audiographic conferencing in Western Australia and describes research that investigated telematics classrooms, with a focus on changing the teaching/learning environment to develop higher-order thinking skills. Results indicate that higher-order thinking increased with the scaffolding role of the teacher and social interaction and…

Audiographics is a low-cost delivery system for distance learning using a telecommunications link between computers and an audioconferencing medium. A study of the interactions between teachers and 10- to 12-year-old students in Western Australia indicated that, although audiographics can support interactions of many forms, teachers used a limited…

Live interactive television (LIT) is a popular medium for delivering educational programs to students in remote areas in Australia. The medium uses television to deliver a live one-way video signal and standard telephony to provide two-way audio communication between the instructor and students. Much of the potential of this medium is derived from…

This paper describes an exploration of an inquiry-based learning approach undertaken with a group of first-year students in a large undergraduate class. An innovative technology support was used to manage the process and an exploration was undertaken to determine students' responses to learning based on problem-solving activities. The study…

Discusses the results of a study that investigated the level of computer use among beginning primary and secondary teachers in Western Australia. Correlations between the instructional technology courses in teacher training programs and the level of computer usage in the classroom are described, particularly regarding curriculum issues and…

Many preservice computer courses do not provide students with certain important skills. Such skills are best developed through instructional programs in teacher education that mirror the models that teachers will be using in their own classrooms. The information technology component within teacher education is an integral part of the program. (SM)

A considerable amount of the effort and enthusiasm that goes into the development and implementation of technology-mediated learning environments often fails to create effective settings for learning. Too often the opportunities and advantages of the use of technology in the learning process are poorly exploited. This paper explores ways in which…

There are now many educational organizations and institutions that have decided to pursue flexible delivery and online learning as strategies. While many educators value online delivery of programs for the flexibility and opportunities offered, the environment offers far more than these outcomes alone. Online delivery supports and encourages very…

Reports on a project that explored the incidental learning achieved through the implementation of a Web-based learning setting in an Australian university. Highlights include developing generic skills and competencies; online problem-based learning; learning activities; self management; management of others; and management of information.…

This paper describes the advancements that have occurred in the use of educational technologies over the past ten years (1995-2005) and argues that progress has been slow and reminiscent of the slow progress observed in the previous decade (1985-1995). The paper argues that one of the principal reasons for the less than spectacular results stems…

This paper presents a description of the Australian University Teaching Committee (AUTC) funded project titled: "Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and Their Role in Flexible Learning" that aims to provide opportunities for university teachers to create high quality flexible learning experiences for students. This is to be…

This paper describes the design and development of TruVision, an online learning environment designed to enable blind and vision impaired students to develop skills and expertise in elementary and advanced information processing strategies to enable them to seek full-time employment within industry in such positions as administrative assistants,…

Considers cultural diversity in Web design and traces the design processes involved in the development of an online learning environment for indigenous Australian learners entering university. Highlights include culture, constructivist learning and situated cognition; cultural pluralism in instructional design; and ten design principles for…