Interactive simulations allow students to discover the underlying principles of a scientific phenomenon through their own exploration. Unfortunately, students often struggle to learn effectively in these environments. Classifying students' interaction data in the simulations based on their expected performance has the potential to enable adaptive…

Disparities in academic science performance remain for diverse learners, including students with learning disabilities and English learners. Educational technology offers the potential to support diverse learners by taking into account their specific needs and unique strengths. This paper reports on third-year results of a 3-year randomized…

In this conceptual paper, we propose an heuristic to balance context-specific and generic scaffolding, as well as computer-based and teacher scaffolding, during instruction centered on authentic, scientific problems. This paper is novel in that many researchers ask a dichotomous question of whether generic or context-specific scaffolding is best,…

The comprehension of interdependent complex systems, which is part of state and national standards, is an enormous challenge for learners. In traditional physiology teaching materials, which structure the human body into decoupled subsystems (e.g., respiratory and cardiovascular) isolated in separate chapters, there is a ubiquitous absence of…

In this paper we explore students' engagement in a new media enhanced problem-based learning (PBL) environment and investigate the characteristics of these environments that facilitate learning. We investigated both student experiences using a new media enhanced PBL environment and the specific elements students found most supportive of their…

Many primary studies have been performed to reveal the effects of computer assisted instruction (CAI) on students' attitudes towards science courses. In determining the effectiveness of these studies, gathering and evaluating of the studies at some characteristics play an important role. The aim of this study is to determine meta-analytically the…

This study of the role of the American Chemical Society (ACS) in chemistry education begins by discussing the lack of computer-based enhancements in the study of chemistry and goes on to describe ACS efforts to deal with this problem, including a member survey, formation of the Computer Secretariat to coordinate computer-related activities within…

Recent advances in information technology have made feasible the development of intelligent computer assisted instruction study units. Analysis and design of such systems require the active involvement of a development team consisting of domain experts, educators, and knowledge engineers. Science and technology teaching methods are frequently…

This paper examines the use of the microcomputer as a mediating device, and explores its influence on curriculum. The relationship of a media device to subject matter and the nature of a subject are examined, and possible uses of the computer in science and social studies are analyzed to illustrate this principle. Three main points are emphasized…

An explanation for the failure of technology and computer-assisted instruction (CAI) in particular to make much headway in education is that even when innovations are introduced in the classroom, their potentials are not exploited; rather, they are used in traditional ways. The integration of new technologies with other classroom activities is…

Strategies for incorporating a calculator made within FORTRAN programs and a Response Analysis Scheme during interactive sessions are described highlighting salient features of the programs. (Author/SK)

This paper draws attention to the different applications of multimedia. There are various types of media technologies for communication and information. Museums use visuals which combine video, statues, and static pictures to produce a multimedia display. Multimedia applications are also present in education, more specifically in natural sciences.…

A description is provided of Los Angeles Valley College's Life Science Learning Center (LSLC), which provides: (1) a resource center addressed to the individualized learning needs of students served by the Biology Department; (2) a learning environment enabling students to proceed in self-paced, activity-centered, concept-oriented experiences in…

Computer Assisted Training (CAT) is a research project at the Fachhochschule fur Technik in Esslingen, West Germany; the aims of this project are to develop and evaluate new means and methods of instruction giving the student a more active part. Special emphasis is given to the computer as an instructional aid, mainly for drill and practice. This…

This study sought to examine the effects of meta cognitive self-regulation on problem solving across three conditions: (1) an interactive, computer-based treatment condition; (2) a noninteractive computer-based alternative treatment condition; and (3) a control condition. Also investigated was which of five components of metacognitive…