National attention has been focused on the fact that math and science scores for students in the United States are among the lowest in the world. In DeSchryver's (1998) article, "Fifteen Years and Still a Nation at Risk," it was noted that American twelfth graders ranked nineteenth out of 21 industrialized nations in mathematics…

Multi-media learning tools were developed to enhance student learning for an introductory agronomy course at Iowa State University. During fall 2002, the new interactive computer program, called Computer Interactive Multimedia Program for Learning Enhancement (CIMPLE) was incorporated into the teaching, learning, and assessment processes of the…

Students often approach history survey classes with a significant degree of dread. Nevertheless, at least one history class is required for graduation from most, if not all, universities, and most students elect to take survey courses to fulfill that requirement. Students rarely enroll in an American history class eagerly, because they anticipate…

Educational research shows that technology can enhance student acquisition of discrete skills through drill and practice. This document presents findings of a study that examined whether technology could provide significant support for constructivist, project-based teaching and learning approaches. It also identified the elements necessary for…

Whole language and cooperative learning are effective ways to help students develop and integrate academic skills. The computer makes available the possibility of multimedia opportunities to apply these and other strategies to develop cognitive, affective, and social skills. The project reported in this paper explored a successful strategy for…

The effects of cooperative learning and type of reward on performance and continuing motivation were studied as part of a study designed to investigate how cooperative groups can be implemented with media originally designed for individual learning. Subjects were 126 undergraduate (30 males and 96 females) education majors. Subjects were assigned…

The three reports in this collection are based on research reviews and original research from both published and unpublished sources, covering the years 1986 through 1990, and they reflect the broad array of factors that determine the effectiveness of technology-based instruction. The first report discusses research studying the effects of…

Researchers have claimed that while educational computer software does not necessarily improve students' academic performance, it does provide for students a more interesting and motivational environment for learning. It naturally fits in the context of students' learning since it can deliver nonstop actions, realistic sounds and vivid colors to…

This book presents a collection of tips focused around six themes. In "Teaching Techniques," teachers share ways in which they have increased their effectiveness and enhanced their interaction with students. "Content" provides methods of delivering art, science, reading, and other subjects in ways that will inspire and motivate…

The purpose of this paper is to review problems encountered in World Wide Web-based courses delivered at three different educational institutions (i.e., two community colleges and a university) in the metropolitan Phoenix (Arizona) area. Implications are discussed based on distance education theories of interaction. Interaction is a vital issue to…

Examines critical issues in distance education. Discusses three stages in the retraining of students; retraining of faculty, including establishing and maintaining effective interaction, motivating students, adapting the syllabus, and using technology to teach; and redesign of course content. (AEF)

Suggests ways to use ClarisWorks to motivate students when only one computer is accessible: (1) class database; (2) grade book; (3) classroom journal; (4) ongoing story center; (5) skill-and-draw review station; (6) monthly class magazine/newspaper; (7) research base/project planner; (8) lecture and presentation enhancement; (9) database of ideas…

Maintains that many educators are using sequences to create accompaniments and practice tapes geared to student abilities. Describes musical instruction using Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI). Discusses eight suggestions designed to make the process of sequencing more efficient. (CFR)

This study examined comprehension in four groups of undergraduates under text only, multimedia, and two diagram conditions of text supplementation. Results indicated that effects of text supplementation are mediated by prior knowledge and learning style: multimedia appears more beneficial to surface learners with little prior knowledge and makes…

Discusses the many reasons to use the Internet in English-as-a-Second-Language classrooms, including increased student motivation, authentic language use, global awareness, and environmental friendliness (decreased use of paper). Examines two popular features of the Internet (electronic mail and the World Wide Web), presenting projects that can…