The first obstacles to overcome when a student has to face the task of programming for the first time are the abstraction level, the comprehension of a language with unfamiliar concepts for him/her and the specific syntax for each programming language. This work presents the qualitative results obtained in a study focused on the gain of skills for…

This paper presents the results of an ongoing study which has been carried out with a group of German Foreign Language students at the University of Cadiz since 2012. The purpose of the study was to analyze the impact of videogame-like applications on foreign language learning and their motivational potential to increase learning beyond the…

A widely recognized concern in elementary school mathematics education is that teachers' understanding of the mathematical curricular content generally appears quite fragmented, sparsely connected, and procedurally oriented. This pilot study applies methods of educational neuroscience to investigate and improve preservice teachers' learning and…

With limits on both personnel and time available to conduct effective instruction, the decision is being made increasingly to enhance instructor-led courses with Computer-Based Training (CBT). The effectiveness of this conversion is often unknown and in many cases empirical evaluations are never conducted. This paper describes and discusses the…

This paper discusses the lessons learned from the use of early state-of-the-art Computer-Based Training (CBT) applications and hopes for the future. The paper is based on experiences with large introductory personal computer applications classes with over 700 students that used CBT such as Virtual Tutor and PinPoint. Findings are presented related…

Over the past 3 years, a variety of studies in intelligent tutoring system (ITS) effectiveness have been conducted. A summary is provided of the research into the use of POSIT, MALM, and the Mobile Subscriber Remote-Telephone Terminal (MSRT) Tutor. POSIT is an ITS for the tutoring of whole-number subtraction. It assumes that the learning of a…

This paper addresses criteria in the design and development of computer-based courseware. The term "interactive multimedia" describes both the technology and the demands placed on the user. It implies that the user becomes actively engaged with the subject, thereby improving the likelihood that net learning takes place. However, nothing…

Hypermedia technology offers new opportunities for developing earth science teaching materials. During the past 3 years, the U.S. Geological Survey has conducted a series of research and development projects to assess the effectiveness of hypermedia technology in providing innovative teaching products for middle school students. The goal of this…

In 1981, North Texas State University (NTSU) conducted an experiment in sound sources which was made possible by a grant from the Apple Education Foundation. The culminating research of the grant was the testing of the AFL sound source and Micromusic sound sources, as well as the NTSU sound source, AMUS. Students participated in the experiment to…

When matched for achievement level and educational objectives, computer technology can be particularly effective with at-risk students. Computer-assisted instructional software is the most widely available type of software. An exciting development pertinent to literacy education is the development of the "electronic book" (also called…

Science process skills include basic skills like observing, inferring, measuring, communicating, classifying, and predicting, as well as integrated skills like controlling variables, defining operationally, formulating hypotheses, interpreting data, experimenting, and formulating models. Recognition of the value of science process skills has…

As one of a series of studies being conducted to develop a useful (predictive) model of the instructional design process that is appropriate to military technical training settings, this study performed initial evaluations on two pieces of instructional design software developed by M. David Merrill and colleagues at Utah State University i.e.,…

The Center for Interactive Technology, Applications, and Research at the College of Engineering of the University of South Florida (Tampa) has developed objective and descriptive evaluation models to assist in determining the educational potential of computer and video courseware. The computer-based courseware evaluation model and the video-based…

This paper attempts to merge specific psychological theories of knowledge acquisition, the impact of pictures on cognitive processes, and theories of effective pedagogical approaches to foreign language learning, in order to assess commercially available software for its effectiveness, specific impact on learning, and classroom uses. The first…

This descriptive study investigates the uses of SMART Board, an interactive electronic whiteboard, in secondary school foreign language classes. The paper first discusses how SMART Board can facilitate the teaching process. SMART Board supports the foreign language teaching process in three main ways: it helps the presentation of new linguistic…