Discusses a three-year research project in which a virtual environment to teach radioactivity in secondary schools in the United Kingdom was developed and tested. Emphasizes the importance of involving teachers through the development process and confirms the importance of school-based evaluation studies in the development and evaluation of…

Discussion of collaborative learning and the roles computers can take in its facilitation and management focuses on SEMSIM, a software system that was developed at the University of Leeds (England) to assist asynchronous collaborative interchanges in a pseudoseminar setting. Two initial trials are outlined, including student-teacher relationships.…

Discusses some of the causes of critical attitudes toward drill and practice forms of computer-assisted language learning (CALL); considers the consequences of this attitude toward CALL; and suggests criteria for the continued development and use of efficient drill and practice forms in CALL, including user needs and low cost. (Contains 13…

Describes experiences in mathematics with the Renaissance Project, a project designed in the United Kingdom to demonstrate the potential for interactive multimedia in higher education. Highlights include using HyperCard for mathematics software; courseware advantages; copyright; and courseware design issues, including navigation, examples, and…

Presents six principles for the design of adaptive computer-assisted language learning (CALL) programs for vocabulary that incorporate a theory describing quality in the learning outcome and linking it to the learner's approach. Highlights include interactivity; general architecture of a software system; and diagnosis and modification. (Contains…

Discusses the design and implementation of lexicons in computer-assisted language learning (CALL). Topics addressed include the dictionary's role in the learner's acquisition of vocabulary as opposed to its use as a reference tool; mental lexicons; electronic dictionaries; morphological processing; context sensitivity; layering information; and…

Describes Hyper Apuntes, an interactive learning environment developed at the University Carlos III of Madrid which teaches students the basic concepts of computer programming. Discusses results of an evaluation of the courseware that assessed its usability and utility and collected suggestions for improving the system. (Author/LRW)

Investigates the limitations of the "development to delivery time ratio" in measuring multimedia courseware development productivity. Discusses problems and defines and evaluates a metrics framework for measurement; the framework is used to evaluate the weaknesses of using any metrics based on the measurement of learner time. (AEF)

Describes the development of an Interactive Teaching and Learning Environment for Graph Sketching (ITALEGS) of polynomial graphs at the college level. Highlights include hypermedia examples, the design of questionnaires for evaluation, and enhancing effectiveness by incorporating pedagogical content knowledge in computer-assisted instruction.…

Discusses the application of the theory of contingent tutoring to the design of a computer-based system for algebra. Considers help seeking and analyzes interactions between secondary school students and the computer-based tutoring system to explore the relations between individual differences in learner-tutor interaction, learner's prior…

Describes Mathwise, a courseware delivery environment developed by the United Kingdom Mathematics Courseware Consortium, whose Courseware Manager provides a protocol for integrating courseware materials from a variety of authors using a variety of software authoring tools. Modules, leaflets and cross-referencing, comparisons with other hypertext…

Discussion of educational software focuses on a model of educational software that was derived from a case study of two elementary school teachers participating in a software design process. Considers human-computer interface, interaction, software browsing strategies, and implications for teacher training. (Author/LRW)

Describes the development of special software and course materials that is designed to teach a variety of educational objectives by giving students access to a range of information and educational services available through the World Wide Web. Focuses on collaborative activities that support student/teacher and student/student interactions.…

Analyzes the responses to a questionnaire survey conducted at Liverpool University to determine the state of courseware development and the use of computer-based teaching (CBT) throughout the university. Highlights include the need for technical support; the need for collaboration and better communication to prevent duplication of effort; and time…

Discusses the use of constructivist frameworks to develop effective and successful learning environments, including educational software. Topics include technology supporting reform; virtuality and multimedia; attributes of interactive multimedia and virtual reality; and examples of context and learner active participation. (Contains 35…