Modern technology has
created an imperative for increasingly diverse classroom experiences. Students
now expect their educational experiences to include the use of current Web
technology, multimedia presentations of subject content, and engaging learning
interactivity. This can, in one regard, be accomplished by use of Web-based simulations,
Web-based classrooms, and Web-based tools, which can provide a dramatic benefit to teaching
and learning. The Web can provide a wide array of learning tools in a variety of formats
so as to reach the different types of learners (e.g., static, dynamic, interactive, and
multi-model) and the different types of learning situations (e.g., deep
learning may be facilitated by a virtual interactive simulation, static
text-based information may serve as an enrichment or pre-class assignment, a
video-on-demand presentation could be a post-class reinforcement activity).
Many
Web-based software packages have been developed to simulate real experiments.
There are a number of remote virtual laboratories that also offer simulations
of real lab experiments. Web sites are becoming dynamic places by providing
interactive material to engage and stimulate the learner. Web-based classrooms
have begun to appear and are attempting to incorporate all the requisite
qualities of an effective real-world learning experience. Web-based Intelligent Tutoring
Systems may soon be able to recognize a remote user's affective state (e.g., confused,
frustrated, intrigued, elated) and respond with an appropriate intervention. Web-based
grading systems are being developed by which students can be automatically graded.
All these environments appear to greatly supplement (or foster the creation of) the
active learning classroom/lab.
The IEEE
Transactions on Education is soliciting manuscripts from academia,
industry, government, or other interested professionals that address
state-of-the-art Web-based instruction practices, instructional tools,
programs, analysis and design techniques, assessment of learning methods, and
other relevant issues that are described earlier in this Call For Papers.
Manuscripts should also contain a list of topic-relevant resources that are
Web-accessible in event that the reader wishes to read/explore/learn more about
various topics addressed in the manuscript. And as appropriate, manuscripts
should also address: (1) the underlying pedagogy, (2) scalability, (3)
usability, (4) how traditional teaching strategies have been altered, and (5)
any other factors that bear on the effectiveness and or functionality of the
concept or tools being described in the manuscript.
