Learning environments aim to deliver efficacious instruction, but rarely take into consideration the motivational factors involved in the learning process. However, motivational aspects like engagement play an important role in effective learning-engaged learners gain more. E-Learning systems could be improved by tracking students' disengagement…

This article presents key steps in the design and analysis of a computer based problem-solving assessment featuring interactive tasks. The purpose of the assessment is to support targeted instruction for students by diagnosing strengths and weaknesses at different stages of problem-solving. The first focus of this article is the task piloting…

This paper describes a complete lab work management framework designed and developed in the authors' department to help teachers to manage the small projects that students are expected to complete as lab assignments during their graduate-level computer engineering studies. The paper focuses on an application example of the framework to a specific…

Discusses issues faced by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) when designing large computer based training systems (CBTs), and offers a conceptual model for interpreting CBT issues. (MER)

Describes relatively new computer software that can be used to maintain, analyze, and report large sets of educational data. The application of two of these packages to problems faced when manipulating educational data is demonstrated, and administrators are provided with information on the evaluation and selection of software products. (MER)

The increased availability of computers is affecting education along two fronts. First, the vocational curriculum must meet the demand for trained data-processing personnel and for computer-related skills in other occupations. Second, three major tools (computer-assisted instruction, computer-managed instruction, and computer-assisted guidance)…

Two examples of CBT which demonstrate unique design characteristics without gimmicks are described. The first is an example from Northern States Power Company (NSP), an electric and gas utility. The second details implementation of a language arts unit by the Minnesota Educational Computing Consortium in a public school seting. (JEG)

Discusses the use of computers for nine different tasks in biological education: information retrieval, data accumulation, data analysis, simulation and systems analysis, decision making, experimental control, course review, computer-managed instruction, and word processing. (PEB)

Future impacts of microcomputing on political science are discussed. Scenarios dealing with networking, data access, field research, course management, and simulations and artificial intelligence are described. (RM)