Developing a Web 2.0-based system with user-authored content for community use and teacher education

We report on an investigation into the design, development, implementation, and evaluation of an informational and instructional Website in order to generate guidelines for instructional designers of read/write Web environments. We describe the process of design and development research, the problem addressed, the theory-based solution, and the evaluation and testing of that solution. Based on our experience, we then identify sixteen guidelines for future designers and developers of read/write Web-based learning environments. The study demonstrates how read/write Web technologies can be used to address general problems that have intrinsic societal importance; examines implementation of a read/write technology in a real-life context, thereby testing distributed cognitions learning theory; informs the design of similar environments; and provides grounded theory for the design and development of read/write Web learning environments.     

Images of Texan and Mexican cultures shared in a telecommunications partnership

Two classes in College Station, Texas and two classes in Mexico City shared artwork via telecommunications. In this arts‐based case study we asked: What cultural similarities and differences manifested themselves through children's artwork shared over geographic distances via videoconference? The cultural similarities and differences manifested through the children's art in the form of murals included the children's choices regarding (a) what to portray and (b) how to convey an artistic message. In addition, characteristics and communication styles of each school's culture were described through analyses of each mural's symbols, labels, and artistic style.     

Toward an instructional design model based on learning objects

The present moment in the history of higher education requires setting strategies and specific action plans to guarantee a place in the highly competitive and demanding world scenario. The incorporation of information and communication technologies is one of the feasible paths to be considered, but this requires formulating proposals insuring appropriate use of said technologies seeking improvement of education quality. For this purpose, Universidad de La Sabana has developed an instructional design model based on learning objects.