The purpose of this study was to investigate value of combining Real Experimentation (RE) with Virtual Experimentation (VE) with respect to changes in students' conceptual understanding of electric circuits. To achieve this, a pre-post comparison study design was used that involved 88 undergraduate students. The participants were randomly assigned…

This paper illustrates a 5-year case study (from 2001 to 2005) regarding a course in educational technology that involved from 100 to 150 student teachers per year for a total of more than 500 trainees. Since the first version of the course, which was entirely based on a face-to-face approach, computer mediated collaborative learning techniques…

Discusses the issues and problems involved in effectively preparing new teachers to integrate information technology into all aspects of teaching, especially curriculum development. Provides a list of suggestions and conclusions to aid in the integration and support of information technology training for teachers during their formal education.…

Examines the history of informatics in France and reports on a quantitative study conducted at a University Institute for Teacher Training (IUFM) to determine students' initial knowledge and opinions regarding information technology. Objectives related to information technology are discussed, and constraints on information technology related to…

Discusses the inservice training of teachers in Ontario (Canada) focusing on Additional Qualification (AQ) courses. The "Computers in the Classroom" AQ course is outlined; and the future of the program is examined with respect to government and university support and professional development opportunities. (JKP)

Discusses the policy and practice in Australia of implementing information technology in school and teacher education curricula. Reports that national guidelines for technology education in schools have affected teacher education curricula and challenged educators to more effectively integrate computer use for pedagogical and utilitarian purposes.…

Describes a program developed at the University College of St. Martin (United Kingdom) to help trainee teachers learn to use instructional technology. Highlights include school-based initial teacher training (ITT), classroom teachers as role models and mentors, lesson planning, and evaluating instructional technology lessons. (LRW)

Describes a longitudinal study conducted at the University of London (England) that investigated the prior instructional technology (IT) experience of Post-Graduate Certificate in Education students. IT skills and the National Curriculum are considered, and implications for IT training within initial teacher training courses are discussed. (LRW)

Describes results of a survey of student teachers in the United Kingdom who described their experiences with information technology (IT) during their final primary teaching practice. Data are related to an earlier survey of the same students during their first teaching practice to explore changes in their practices and beliefs about IT. (14…

Describes a project in the English Language Department of St. Andrew's College (Scotland) that was developed as part of the SPRITE initiative to increase the use of information technology in teacher training programs. Background for the SPRITE initiative is presented; and a consultancy model for staff development is explained. (Contains 18…

Presents results of a study conducted at Leeds University (England) that investigated the instructional technology background of secondary mathematics teachers enrolled in a Post-Graduate Certificate of Education course and the use these students made of instructional technology in their mathematics lessons in school. School-based initial teacher…

Describes a study conducted at the University of Western Sydney (Australia) that investigated primary student teachers' use of computers with children in schools and factors that contributed to that use. Home use and supervising teachers' use of computers are cited as significant factors, and implications for course design are suggested. (13…

Reports on two studies of student teachers that investigated the effect of asking learners to answer questions when learning in a hypertext environment. Discusses effects on concept learning from three learning environments: no response or feedback, analysis using a multiple choice questionnaire, and rule generation by students. (Author/LRW)