This fourth and final article in a series about hypertext links and associated design guidelines focuses on learning support and program help links that support users' learning activities and help users understand the operational elements of the program itself. Examples are given from a HyperCard program called Desert Shield. (LRW)

Presents an engineering environment oriented to the development of hypermedia applications for training. Training trends are described; requirements for a computer-based training (CBT) strategy are outlined; a hypermedia course structure is examined; microinstructional events (MIEs) are explained; and technology requirements and selection are…

Provides an overview of developments in authoring tools and describes ways to categorize products by platform, type of end-product, sophistication of end-product, and authoring metaphor. Discusses products from AimTech, Allegiant, Allen Communication, Asymetrix, Corel, Discovery Systems International, Enigma, Harrow Media, Horizons, Innovus,…

This paper identifies three ways that computers are used in educational contexts. The first and most widespread use is as a tutor, i.e., as a delivery system for programmed instruction and drill-and-practice activities. The second use is as a programming environment to teach programming languages such as BASIC, LOGO, or PASCAL. The third use is as…

The Learning Equation (TLE) is a software product that provides mathematics programming to students. It was introduced to grade 9 students in Alberta in 1997-1998, and in 1998-1999, its use was extended to grades 7, 8, and 10. TLE is designed to follow the Alberta mathematics curriculum closely. It can be implemented in several ways, and in some…

Over the past decade, there have been many changes in the tools used to design, the ways information can be represented and the underpinning theories which drive educational experiences. This paper focuses on several examples of software design that have been pedagogically successful and have demonstrated what is possible in software design and…

Discusses the incorporation of multicultural nonsexist education (MCNSE) concepts into the educational software used in computer-assisted instruction (CAI). Forty software programs for K-12 social studies are reviewed in terms of six forms of bias, and suggestions for enhancing the integration of CAI with MCNSE are offered. A software evaluation…

The MEDA (Methodologie d'Evaluation des Didacticiels pour les Adultes) tool is a generic instrument to evaluate training courseware. It was developed for software designers to improve products, for instructors to select appropriate courseware, and for distributors and consultants to match software to client needs. Describes software evaluation…

Describes TEPACIS, a computer-aided instruction package to train users of the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization)-developed CDS/ISIS software, which is used to support the development of computerized textual databases. Discussion covers the structure of TEPACIS; development plans; hardware requirements; and…

Reviews problems with educational software and presents a framework for educational software design, focusing on topic selection, knowledge presentation (simplicity, presentation, program control, structure versus exploration, navigation), knowledge construction (multiple choice, tasks, case studies) and evaluation. (PEN)

A new paradigm is proposed for thinking about educational software, based on a the mutual interaction of the perspectives of those concerned in the use of educational software: the student, the teacher, and the software designer. This rejects the usual checklist approach and leads instead to an approach to software selection closely associated…

Describes a methodology for estimating the time required to design, develop, and evaluate interactive courseware that was prepared for the Air Force. The original methodology is explained, based on degree of interactivity, use of media, instructional content, and presentation format; the evaluation study is described; and the revised methodology…

Describes an interactive computer program, COLOR-TEST, that was developed at the Technical University of Sofia (Bulgaria) to teach color harmony and color coordination to industrial design students. A brief evaluation of the program is presented, and further developments for the program are suggested. (nine references) (LRW)

Describes MediaText, a multimedia document processor developed at the University of Michigan that allows the incorporation of video, music, sound, animations, still images, and text into one document. Interactive documents are discussed, and the need for users to be able to write documents as well as read them is emphasized. (four references) (LRW)

Addresses the issue of assuring quality software for use in computer-aided instruction and presents a structure by which developers can create quality courseware. Differences between courseware and computer-aided instruction software are discussed, methods for testing software are described, and human factors issues as well as instructional design…