Describes research that examined the role of online examples in a minimal manual on learning to use an interface construction toolkit called InterCONS. Highlights include the minimalist approach to designing user resources; user performance; the use of online examples versus printed examples; and user reactions. (Contains 18 references.) (LRW)

The purpose of this study was to develop, implement, and evaluate an audiotape and accompanying handouts on hemodynamics as a supplemental teaching aid in the Health Science Learning Center of New York City Technical College. It was hypothesized that there would be a significant difference between the mean examination grade on hemodynamics of…

Describes a CD-ROM version of a basic course in exercise physiology that was developed in the United Kingdom to overcome problems of staff time, expense, ethical considerations, and large student numbers. Compares it to a traditional course and concludes that adding more active learning approaches to the CD-ROM would enhance student learning. (LRW)

This investigation of the effect of computer-assisted instruction (CAI) on the performance of elementary students in the area of language arts skills compared the performance of students receiving CAI with that of students receiving only regular classroom instruction. Two software programs were created for use in the study. Word Breaker, designed…

Discusses ways in which some of the principles for producing effective written text can be applied to the production of instructional audiotapes. Two experiments with university students are described that tested re-recorded audiotapes to evaluate the effectiveness of adding text design principles, and further research needs are suggested. (45…

Describes a study of nursing students in a Canadian junior college that was conducted to test the effectiveness of presenting descriptive and instructive captions on illustrations in instructional materials. Comprehension and recall of the illustrations' content are examined, and treatments for the experimental and control groups are described.…

Summarizes and illustrates the knowledge-based approach to instructional material design. A series of sports coaching handbooks and hypermedia presentations of the same material are described and the different instantiations of the knowledge and training structures are compared. Figures show knowledge structures for badminton and the architecture…

Summarizes three research studies on text and screen density variables in a computer based instruction (CBI) lesson. The first two studies investigated the effectiveness of low density text on lessons taught in print and CBI modes; the third study examined learner preferences for different screen densities. (43 references) (Author/LRW)

Describes study that compared the attainment gains of Guyanan secondary school children in science and geography following two different learning regimes, i.e., systematically designed learning materials, and conventional teaching. Implications of the results for curriculum design and teacher training are discussed. (Author/LRW)

Despite gains in many areas, minorities remain underrepresented as scientists and science students. On of the reasons for this absence may be the presence of a common stereotype of scientists as white males. This paper argues that recent research in cognitive and social psychology shows that stereotypic processes are not automatic and that…

The main objective of this program was to produce animated educational material to stimulate students' interest and learning process related to the sciences and to measure their impact. The program material was designed to support middle school educators with an effective, accessible, and novel didactic tool produced specifically to enhance and…