Chasing the White “WHALE”: A Case Study in Using iPads to Promote Active Learning

In order to encourage more active learning in the library classroom, the college librarians at the Tidewater Community College/City of Virginia Beach Joint-Use Library turned one of their library instruction classrooms into a dynamic and flexible space using movable seating and iPads. This article explores the reasons for making such a change, the benefits of doing so, how the new classroom has affected librarians' teaching methods, and gives specific information about apps used for class activities.     

基于B/S结构的考勤系统设计

在分析考勤系统需求的基础上,结合实际学生考勤信息录入与汇总的特点,设计了基于B/S结构的课堂考勤系统。应用该系统可方便地进行学生考勤信息的录入、修改与管理,并可进行考勤信息的自动汇总。系统依据权限实现了角色分类,可按角色登录及查询具体的考勤信息,并可进行学生考勤信息的汇总和导出,提高了工作效率。     

基于闭环控制的多媒体教室群控系统的设计与实现

本文通过对多媒体教室本地控制管理模式和网络控制管理模式的分析,设计开发基于闭环控制的多媒体教室群控系统,就多媒体群控系统的各项功能进行了详尽的设计并且加以实施,实现多媒体教室管理的科学化和高效性。     

设计四个教学点 成功一堂信息课——信息技术教学环节设计探究

本文通过信息技术课教学常见环节的价值分析和具体案例的解剖,对如何进行情境引入环节、任务驱动环节、课堂提问环节、课堂评价环节的教学设计进行了探究和反思。     

录播系统在中学教育中的应用

新课程改革背景下,学校公开交流课、精品课程建设等一系列教学活动的不断增多,制作教学课堂录像已成为共享优质教学资源的一项重要需求,通过对多功能录播教室的基本组成、工作原理的介绍,分析录播教室在教育教学中的重要作用和存在的不足。     

An assessment of student preferences for PowerPoint presentation structure in undergraduate courses

Studies have demonstrated that students prefer PowerPoint and respond favorably to classes when it is used. Few studies have addressed the physical structure of PowerPoint. In this study, students enrolled in several psychology classes on two campuses completed a 36 item questionnaire regarding their preferences for the use of PowerPoint in the classroom. Students preferred the use of key phrase outlines, pictures and graphs, slides to be built line by line, sounds from popular media or that support the pictures or graphics on the slide, color backgrounds, and to have the lights dimmed. It is recommended that professors pay attention to the physical aspects of PowerPoint slides and handouts to further enhance students’ educational experience.     

ICT integration in the classroom: Challenging the potential of a school policy

Despite the assumption that the integration of ICT influences the entire school system, research focusing on ICT in schools is generally limited to the study of variables at class level. In contrast to these studies, the present research explores ICT integration from a school improvement approach. More particularly, it examines the local school policy with respect to ICT integration from both the principal’s perspective and perceptions of teachers. Furthermore, it studies the relationship between school policies and the actual use of ICT in the classroom. To answer the research questions, a representative sample of 53 primary school principals was interviewed. In addition, the interview data were supplemented with survey data of 574 teachers from the same 53 schools. What emerged from the analyses was that school-related policies, such as an ICT plan, ICT support and ICT training have a significant effect on class use of ICT. In addition, the findings from the interviews indicate that school policies are often underdeveloped and underutilised. The discussion section focuses on challenges to improve the potential of an ICT school policy.     

Potential pedagogical benefits and drawbacks of multimedia use in the English language classroom equipped with interactive whiteboard technology

This paper analyses the process of multimedia integration in English language classrooms equipped with interactive whiteboard (IWB) technology, and offers insights into the theoretical underpinnings of multimedia use in language learning from the perspective of cognitive learning theory. The data discussed here are drawn from a study carried out as part of a PhD research programme at Lancaster University (UK). The study was conducted within an interpretative research paradigm, and data were collected and analysed according to a qualitative approach. In the first part, the paper discusses some perceived pedagogical benefits of adopting a multimedia-oriented approach in the IWB-based classroom. Secondly, it discusses a variety of potential problems related to the use of multimedia resources in the language classroom in question. Finally, the paper draws upon the literature on multimedia learning to address the potential pedagogical implications of these research findings.     

Teaching materials to enhance the visual expression of Web pages for students not in art or design majors

The explosive growth of the Internet has made the knowledge and skills for creating Web pages into general subjects that all students should learn. It is now common to teach the technical side of the production of Web pages and many teaching materials have been developed. However teaching the aesthetic side of Web page design has been neglected, and students not in art or design majors are normally confronted with difficulties when they do expressive design of Web pages.     

Characterising effective eLearning resources

The widespread availability of digital learning resources in a variety of media formats offers the possibility to make a profound difference in education. This potential has not been fully realised for range of interrelated reasons. In this paper we study the key characteristics of learning resources that have proved effective in changing learning and teaching, and relate them to existing frameworks for understanding resources. We outline the relationships between resources, their users, and the way they are used, and explore issues that influence practitioners in choosing a particular resource. Our study is based on a review of resources for e-learning and chemistry in post-compulsory education, undertaken for the UK Joint Information Systems Committees (JISC), as part of a wider study examining ‘The Effectiveness of Resources, Tools and Support Services used by Tutors in Designing and Delivering E-Learning Activities’.