Considers the characteristics of computer based learning (CBL) which have caused it to attract so much attention from evaluators, gives an overview of current approaches to evaluation, and raises questions about what services in CBL are being required of evaluators and how they might best be achieved. (Author/CMV)

Recent educational research from a socio-cognitive perspective has validated students' collaborative engagement with new technologies and heightened understanding of influential factors shaping the effectiveness of peer interactions, learning contexts and computer interfaces for enhancing learning. This paper focuses on an analysis of the…

Describes a project that linked students in a quantitative decision-making course at the University of Hawaii with students in the same course at Southern Methodist University (Texas) to participate in remote group collaboration via electronic mail and to observe and evaluate students' decision-making capabilities. Student comments are included.…

Children usually improve their writing in response to teacher comments. HARRY is a computer tutor, designed to assist children improve their narrative writing, focusing particularly upon grammar and style. Providing assistance involved identifying aspects of grammar and style on which to concentrate, including ways to enable the computer to detect…

Previous research has shown that computer-based tasks can motivate people with autism and encourage learning. As a computer-based medium, Virtual Environments (VEs) offer a potentially useful tool for social skills training for people with autistic spectrum disorders (ASDs). However, there are some concerns over whether people with ASDs can…

This paper describes an empirical study of fun, usability, and learning in educational software. Twenty five children aged 7 and 8 from an English primary school participated. The study involved three software products that were designed to prepare children for government initiated science tests. Pre and post tests were used to measure the…

Describes and evaluates the various strategies employed by the Microelectronics Education Programme to provide training in computer-based learning to teachers in the United Kingdom. Suggestions for future strategies that focus on the child, the teacher, and the class are presented. (14 references) (CLB)

Discusses the use of hypermedia in education and describes the Interactive Learning and Biology project that was developed at the University of Southampton (England) to teach undergraduate cell biology. Topics addressed include authoring tools for hypermedia; a study of undergraduates learning cell motility; student attitudes; and navigation…

Specific combinations of educational and ICT conditions including computer use may optimise learning processes, particularly for learners at risk. This position paper asks which curricular, instructional, and ICT characteristics can be expected to optimise learning processes and outcomes, and how to best achieve this optimization. A theoretical…

Through a LISREL analysis, this study validated the Constructivist Internet-based Learning Environment Survey (CILES). CILES consisted of six scales, sorted by two aspects. The first aspect, the cognitive-metacognitive aspect, included the scales of student negotiation, inquiry learning, and reflective thinking, whereas the second aspect, the…

While the telepointer has been widely accepted in the Computer Supported Collaborative Work community, little work has been done to quantify its effect on performance and perception. We present preliminary results quantifying the telepointer's effect on knowledge retention and satisfaction in an online collaboration. In experiments, a remote…

Discussion of interactive video for educational purposes focuses on the development of a video-supported active learning (VISUAL) resource on voice disorders that used digitized video and an Apple Macintosh computer. User evaluations are reported, and potential applications for VISUAL resources are suggested. (Contains five references.) (LRW)

Although Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL) provides EFL (English as a Foreign Language) students a dynamic environment for English learning, many courses in current markets still emphasize the presentation of domain knowledge but neglect how the students truly interact with the lessons. This article describes the development of…

Describes the implementation of computer-based teaching in the Norwegian school system. The government's role is described, evaluation procedures are explained, the role of the teachers and teacher training are discussed, and factors that influence a school's success in implementing the use of computers are explored. (LRW)

Describes a computerized system which presents objective test items to students, and upon question completion, provides immediate feedback with correct answers and explanations. Use of the system by pharmacology students and an analysis of end-of-year examination results are presented. (Author/MBR)