Mahnaz Moallem

An Interactive Online Course: A Collaborative Design Model

The purpose of this paper is to describe the evaluation results of using an interactive design model for the development of an online course. Specifically, it examines: (a) how an interactive design model was used to develop collaborative and cooperative learning activities; (b) how activities were structured to promote the level and quality of communications among students, as peers, and between students and the instructors; and (c) how students responded to such interactive design model. The paper also provides information about the delivery process and describes what happened when this interactive model was fully implemented and used.

Handheld, Wireless Computers: Can They Improve Learning and Instruction?

Abstract Reports show that handheld, wireless computers, once used by business professionals to keep track of appointments, contacts, e-mail, and the Internet, have found their way into classrooms and schools across the United States. However, there has not been much systematic research to investigate the effects of these new technology tools on student attitude and learning outcomes, nor has there been much research evidencing that handheld, wireless computers can improve student engagement in the learning process. The purpose of this paper is to use the literature on principles of learning and instruction to develop an action-instructional model for utilization of handheld computers in the classroom. It will explain how such a model was used to integrate handheld, wireless computers in the design and development of classroom instruction and what the evaluation results are. The paper also provides some insights on what was learned from this experiment.

Systemic Change in Vocational Training Institutions in France.

Abstract The Specialised Vocational Training Institutions (IMPro) in France have recently entered into a difficult, but important period of time. During the past few years, IMPro have faced increasing demand from the public and government to provide quality service to adolescents with intellectual disabilities. IMPro have been also faced with the challenge of being accountable for the low employment rate of adolescents with intellectual disability and their failure to obtain and/or maintain jobs due to lack of technical and social skills. The purpose of the present work was to respond to the increasing and urgent needs in IMPro by designing and developing a training system to enhance organisational productivity, increase employment rate, and eliminate the problems faced by workers with intellectual disabilities. This article describes the process of organisational changes in IMPro using systems thinking. It discusses the model, methods, tools, and techniques used in designing, developing, implementing, an...