In recent years, the use of technology for the purposes of improving and enriching traditional instructional practices has received a great deal of attention. However, few works have explicitly examined cognitive, psychological, and educational principles on which technology-supported learning environments are based. This volume attempts to cover the need for a thorough theoretical analysis and discussion of the principles of system design that underlie the construction of technology-enhanced learning environments. It presents examples of technology-supported learning environments that cover a broad range of content domains, from the physical sciences and mathematics to the teaching of language and literacy.

The emphasis in this book is not on the design of educational software but on the design of learning environments. A great deal of research on learning and instruction has recently moved out of the laboratory into the design of applications in instructional settings. By designing technology-supported learning environments instructional scientists attempt to better understand the theories and principles that are explicit in their theories of learning. The contributors to this volume examine how factors such as social interaction, the creation of meaningful activities, the use of multiple perspectives, and the construction of concrete representations influence the acquisition of new information and transfer.

About the Author
Robert Glaser, Stella Vosniadou, Erik De Corte, Heinz Mandl

Reviews

"...introduces the reader to some of the key international developers who are designing instructional settings to improve education and add to our knowledge of instructional-learning theory....through the many applications presented in the 18 chapters, the reader can appreciate the bidirectional effect of research on new developments in both practice and theory....this book is full of new approaches to learning and instruction and is an important addition to your personal library."
-Journal of Computing in Higher Education

"The editors of this fine book have been working cooperatively on topics in instructional psychology and technology for a long time. I recommend this book for use in seminars dealing with instructional design and technology. Each chapter presents foundational information that is valuable for the novice reader while presenting case studies for the advanced scientist. As such, the book serves as a reference guide for the international instructional design field."
-Journal of Educational Computing Research

"There is much here that is of interest, importance, and relevance for a wide range of educationists and researchers....it is likely to that many of those involved in the design and use of technology-supported learning environments will find useful reading here."
-British Educational Research Journal

Book Information
ISBN 9780805818543
Author Stella Vosniadou
Format Hardback
Page Count 406
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Inc
Weight(grams) 657g