Our two main articles this month reflect our new focus. The first is by James M. Laffey, Dale Musser, and Thomas Tupper, all at the University of Missouri-Columbia. They describe the interactive shared journal system that they have designed to support teacher education at the University of Missouri College of Education. Their design focuses on enlisting computer support to aid in the development of a learning community among students, mentors, administrators, and guests.

The second main article is by Mike Graves, from Apple's Learning Technology Group. Mike gives an overview of his group's research and prototyping efforts in contextual learning. Contextual learning seeks to expand learners' abilities to make information and situations meaningful and then to act on their understandings. Technologies are designed to augment learners' contexts with relevant information, tools, other resources, and contacts with other people.

 

http://www.apple.com/education/LTReview/winter98/overview.html

http://www.apple.com/education/LTReview/spring98/overview.html

http://www.apple.com/education/LTReview/summer98/overview.html