Describes an Educational Products Information Exchange (EPIE) study which evaluated 163 elementary and secondary education microcomputer courseware programs for intent, content, methods and approach, and evaluation, to discover whether trends existed across areas and courseware types, and to determine strengths and weaknesses of available…

Several text format variables were examined in an attempt to identify the ways in which these variables interact in specific design combinations. The variables include: heading location (embedded or isolated); line length (short or long); space between lines (single or double); paragraph indication (indented or spaced); use of running heads…

Experimenters sometimes wish to estimate for a particular dependent variable the proportion of total group variance that is associated with mean differences among fixed treatments or subject classifications. Hays (1981) represents this proportion by the parameter omega squared. A point estimate may be easily computed as a function of the number of…

Discusses two alternative metrics to detect computer software plagiarism: the Halstead metric drawn from the software science discipline and an ad hoc method drawn from program grading experience and identified by factor analysis. Possible explanations as to why the ad hoc method is more useful in identical-task environments are considered.…

Investigates effectiveness of advance organizers for teaching functioning and use of compilers to undergraduate students in computer science courses. Two experimental groups used the advance organizer while two control groups did not. Findings indicate that an explicitly concept-directed organizer is effective in providing a framework for…

Motivational design, a major component of the ARCS (Attention, Relevance, Confidence, Satisfaction) model that describes how to understand the motivation to learn, is described in this second article of a two-part series. Topics addressed include audience analysis; motivational objectives, measures, and motivational strategy design; and…

Describes a course which uses integrated electronic spreadsheets for computer assisted instruction in teaching multiple regression analysis. The process of implementing the method is explained, tips on worksheet arrangement are given, and advantages of using electronic spreadsheets are delineated. (Author/MBR)

Designed to determine whether research in simulation and gaming follows research design methodology and the degree to which research is directed toward learning outcomes measured by Bloom's taxonomy of educational objectives, this article examines studies reported in proceedings from the Association for Business Simulation and Experiential…

Describes performance criteria for users of computer assisted instruction (CAI) that are used to provide users with feedback about their performance relative to other users. This study evaluated 146 novice users on their percentages of correct responses, time required for completion, and number of times the CAI tutorial was performed. (LRW)

Presents a classification system of four microcomputer simulation types developed to evaluate their instructional processes: structured questions and graphics, variable-assignment exercises, diagnostic simulations, and group-interactive simulations. How this taxonomy contributes to three tasks associated with classroom use of software is…

Clarifies appropriateness of certain simulation approaches by distinguishing between different types of simulations--experimental, predictive, evaluative, and educational--on the basis of purpose, assumptions, procedures, and criteria for evaluating. The kinds of questions each type best responds to are discussed. (65 references) (MBR)

Traces history of instructional technology, including Skinner's work, Gagne's task analytic approach, and contemporary efforts associated with the cognitive revolution. It is suggested that an understanding of cognitive development improves earlier approaches by adapting them directly to students' cognitive development levels. Recent instructional…

Examines novel computer filing systems which have particular application to office information storage and retrieval requirements. A variety of filing systems and their major characteristics are reviewed, ranging from network-based file servers to digital image storage and retrieval systems. Desirable characteristics of a modern electronic office…

This study was conducted to determine the effects of instruction on using a formal media selection procedure on the media selection choices made by novice instructional designers. Twenty-nine male and female graduate students enrolled in a media design course at Arizona State University participated in the study. Media design problems were used…

Reviews a workshop conducted at the 1987 National Society for Performance and Instruction (NSPI) Conference on estimating workload and costs for training development. Information derived from two case studies is used to compare workload estimates done by experienced managers with those done by professionals with formal instructional design…