Introduction: This study aimed to develop a cost-effective suturing and knot typing simulator that aligns with the expectations of experts, addressing the need for affordable yet high-quality medical training tools. The focus was on assessing the efficacy of a silicone skin suture task trainer, created through a 3D printed mold, for use in mobile…

Text-To-Speech (TTS) synthesizers have piqued the interest of researchers for their potential to enhance the L2 acquisition of writing (Kirstein, 2006), vocabulary and reading (Proctor, Dalton, & Grisham, 2007) and pronunciation (Cardoso, Collins, & White, 2012; Soler-Urzua, 2011). Despite their proven effectiveness, there is a need for…

In this paper, the author described how a model of teaching critical thinking couples with the development of learning objects may help respond to broader calls for critical thinking both as a central goal in education and as a key aspect in the ecology of 21st century e-learning environment. The model developed by the Canadian Critical Thinking…

This study reports a randomized controlled trial evaluation of a computer-based balanced literacy intervention, ABRACADABRA (http://grover.concordia.ca/abra/version1/abracadabra.html). Children (N = 144) in Grade 1 were exposed either to computer activities for word analysis, text comprehension, and fluency, alongside shared stories (experimental…

Article describes the results of the evaluation of the Manitoba Schools Computer Network. (HB)

This article reports the results of a systematic and comprehensive evaluation of the suitability of 13 commercially available, authorized software programs for teaching reading and writing in the primary grades. These programs were assessed on interface design, content, instructional design, whether manufacturers' educational claims were supported…

In 1997 the British Columbia Open University (BCOU) adopted a virtualization strategy based primarily on twinning off-line independent study distance education courses (textbook-based with study guide and telephone and e-mail tutor support) with alternate online versions (textbook-based with integrated conferencing and communications provided…

Grade six and seven students at South Hill Elementary School were involved in the study to evaluate computer-assisted instruction (CAI) in arithmetic. The pupils were divided into three groups: the members of the "Computer Group" each received five minutes of CAI in arithmetic per day in addition to regular arithmetic classes, the…

On April 1, 1983, thirteen "enthusiastic, daring, creative and resourceful" (Landstrom, 1993, p. 113) Canadian distance educators who were attending an international conference on telecourses gathered in a hotel room in Washington DC to socialize. They left that evening with a dream: a Canadian distance education association. Now, after…

The potential impact of on-line learning in health care is significant. By providing access to educational material from an internet-connected computer anytime and anywhere, healthcare workers (HCWs), whose workload demands are often changing and somewhat unpredictable, have increased ability to self-educate. For example, the growing recognition…

The use of six integrated learning systems (ILS) in adult basic education (ABE) programs in British Columbia was analyzed. The systems studied were as follows: Autoskill, Computer Curriculum Corporation (CCC), Jostens (INVEST), Pathfinder, Principle of the Alphabet Literacy System (PALS), and Programmed Logic for Automatic Teaching Operations…

Two reports discuss pilot projects using the Computer Assisted Distance Education Telecommunication Project (CADET) in Edmonton, Alberta. The first describes two studies that investigated the feasibility of telephone communication between two or more microcomputer (Apple) operators using an Amdahl mainframe computer as an intermediary. The results…

This study was undertaken to examine the status of computer-based instruction in Vancouver secondary schools which is categorized as computer-science courses or traditional courses which use the computer merely as a problem-solving and learning aid. Then schools participated in an examination of the computer-science courses. This aspect of the…

Use of microcomputers to teach basic prose writing to university students was investigated. The CAI program presented information, responded to answers, and evaluated input. Subjects were 50 University of Victoria freshmen. Few significant differences occured between experimental and control groups. CAI can apparently be used effectively to…

CHOICES, the Computerized Heuristic Occupational Information and Career Exploration Systems, was implemented in eight secondary schools in North York, Ontario. This evaluation focused on effectiveness of CHOICES in the career counseling process and in increasing students' career awareness, self-awareness, decision-making skills, and motivation.…