Science education as a driver of cyberspace technology development

Abstract : Educational applications of networking technologies are becoming increasingly prevalent (National Center for Education Statistics, 1996; Riley et al., 1996). But "applications" are too often treated as infusions of technology into society, not drivers of new technological or research developments. One premise of the Learning through Collaborative Visualization (CoVis) Project challenges that common belief (Pea, 1993). Extending media-rich and highly interactive learning and teaching activities beyond single classrooms makes demanding requirements for new applications. We set out to create "distributed multimedia learning environments" to serve the emerging needs of precollege science education, which highlight learning through guided inquiry and affiliated new roles for teachers (National Research Council, 1996).