Those who are not intimately involved with teaching and learning in grades K through 12 need to study the new National Standards. These standards have been widely adopted and focus on project-based activities, real-world applications and their interdisciplinary extensions. It is extremely difficult to adapt older linear media to the new curriculum requirements. This provides new challenges and market opportunities for producers and teachers.

A very unique thing is happening to fill the void. Lesson plans and projects are appearing on the web in great numbers for all to share. Suppliers of educational materials are providing web space for teachers to attract teachers and students to their sites. And teachers are sharing their lesson plans, projects and evaluations.

Interactive multimedia is becoming the focus of the new learning so that linear media such as films, filmstrips, videos, and audiotapes are becoming a thing of the past.

This provides problems for both teachers and media producers. The new technology invariably requires equipment — a computer, device or appliance and a network. Equipment and connectivity is not sufficiently available or low enough in cost to have multiple units in each classroom. And up-to-date instructional materials that meet the new criteria are, for the most part, limited to text and graphics. For the initial period in this transition, the teacher must produce his or her own materials and they will lack many of the audiovisual elements that are fundamental to some aspects of learning.

The heroes of this transition are the teachers. They have been burdened with a diversity of new requirements and maligned for failing to meet educational standards. They are torn as to whether to teach to the tests of the last century or whether to focus on real educational needs. There are exciting new trends such as Individualized Educational Programs and a re-involvement of families in the educational process.

We salute teachers for their dedication and persistence. Their web publications and shared resources are outstanding contributions to development of the new education. We need to provide them with the tools — hardware, software, courseware, and networks — with the proper support and recognition of their efforts — to facilitate accomplishment of the new Standards Based Learning.

Drs. Donald & Elizabeth Perrin
Managing Editors
Ed Journal and Ed at a Distance Magazine

USDLA Official Publications
3345 Pachappa Hill Riverside, CA 92506
Voice: (909) 369-4059 or (909) 408-446-3202
Cellular: (909) 236-2658
EMAIL: eperrin@pacbell.net or dperrin@pacbell.net