This book highlights the importance of design in computer-supported collaborative learning (CSCL) by proposing data-driven design and assessment. It addresses data-driven design, which focuses on the processing of data and on improving design quality based on analysis results, in three main sections. The first section explains how to design…

Suggestions for writing computer-assisted instructional programs are offered through an examination of the goals and structure of these programs. Discussed are problems one may encounter in creating such programs. (RAO)

This paper discusses, in general terms, when the use of computer based instructional simulation (CBIS) is appropriate, and offers suggestions on constructing an effective instructional simulation, placing a particular emphasis upon documentation. Two examples of simulation are given with descriptions of useful methods for evaluating CBIS.…

Describes steps in creating computer-assisted instruction and interactive video for nursing education, including preliminary planning, user-friendly design concepts, and evaluation strategies. (SK)

This guide presents step-by-step instructions for authoring interactive video lessons with the Apple IIe system. Software and hardware requirements are listed, and a glossary of terms and commands is included. Three sample pages demonstrating the data input process are appended. (GL)

This paper presents the notion of a "question episode," the smallest complete unit of computer- student interaction in computer assisted instruction, and describes such important elements as question types, student input, interpretation of student inputs, computer replies, and duration limits. Included are some guidelines to help determine the…

Provides recommendations for designing computer screens that will have positive effects on readability and learning. Topics discussed include the use of capital versus lower case letters; interlinear space; line length; and strategies that aid recall, including the use of chunks and margins, and the location of information in relation to graphics.…

Guidelines for understanding computer-assisted instruction (CAI) pedagogical designs and evaluating CAI software for its relevance to specific teaching and learning objectives are presented in this paper. Topics discussed include applications, drawbacks, and examples of the five types of CAI software--drill and practice, tutorial, simulation,…

Intended to provide a frame of reference for a symposium on automated aids to instructional design and development (ID), this paper accomplishes three tasks: (1) it outlines problems encountered in ID--e.g., complexity of curriculum planning and instruction development, quality maintenance in the ID process and products, and cost effectiveness--in…

Reviews possible sources of reinforcement in computer assisted instruction and systematic utilization of these sources in courseware design. Sources reviewed include reinforcement from the machine itself; from the content of the instructional modules and its arrangement in a learning sequence; and from sources external to the modules. (MBR)

Describes methods for item construction for computer-based instruction (CBI). Use of a rational set generator (RSG) in presenting an adaptive sequence of items to the learner is described; a model matrix of a computer-based RSG is presented; concrete and defined concepts are discussed; and rule using is explained. (Four references) (LRW)

Increasingly, educators and trainers are challenged within their respective organizations to provide for the efficient distribution of instructional content using instructional media. The appropriate selection of instructional media to support distance learning is not intuitive and does not occur as a matter of personal preference. On the…

Instructional designers who are asked to convert existing training materials into computer-based training (CBT) must take special precautions to avoid making the product into a sophisticated page turner. Although conversion may save considerable time on subject research and analysis, courses to be delivered through microcomputers may require…

Suggests computer assisted instruction software that doesn't provide all necessary components of a lesson can be useful if the teacher identifies instructional functions (Gagne's Events of Instruction) provided by the program and supplies those that are missing. This framework is applied to analysis of a specific computer program. (MBR)

Describes hypertext, a significantly different form of data retrieval, and gives an example of how it might be used in computer-based training. Hypertext software is discussed, including TextPro and KnowledgePro; the relationship between hypertext and expert systems is explored; and a hypertext document, PC-Hypertext, is described. (LRW)