The author reviews the instructional programing languages which already exist and describes their methods of presentation, organization, and preparation. He recommends that all research and development projects remain flexible in their choice of programing language for a time yet. He suggests ways to adapt to specific uses and users, to exploit…

The history of some computer-assisted instruction (CAI) strategies is traced. A number of components of computerized instruction systems are described and explanations provided on the influence these components have in the development and production of a CAI system. A description of the interaction between a student and a CAI system is presented…

A study of 130 undergraduate students enrolled in a course on auiovisual techniques sought to determine whether heuristic or algorithmic computer-based problem solving training would be differentially effective for students varying in cognitive complexity as measured by the Educational Set Scale (ESS). The interaction was investigated between one…

A study at a small southwestern suburban school examined specific process variables which occurred as children were taught composition skills using word processing, word processing with voice synthesis, and no word processing. Subjects were 45 second grade students, who were divided into three groups on the basis of scores on a reading…

Discussion of online education and the possible loss of teacher-student relationships focuses on a case study of a graduate nursing course that compared interactivity in online and face-to-face sections of the same course. Considers survey results that showed the online section perceiving less interactivity, and suggests further research. (LRW)

Factors contributing to the uniqueness of educational software are analyzed from contextual and textual perspectives. Contextual (or external) technological, economic, and social factors are examined briefly, and are identified as the dominant factors in the future evolution of educational software. Feedback and interactiveness, two significant…

SCHOLAR is a computer-assisted instruction (CAI) system which is capable of true man-computer dialog. Using a subset of English, the system is capable of generating questions, answering questions, analyzing responses, and producing subsequent actions. SCHOLAR has a data base that is a complex but well defined information structure in the form of a…

Discussion of interaction in computer-based tutorials (CBT) focuses on a study that compared the performance of adult learners from training with three CBTs that varied the level of interactivity. The degrees of learner control, system control, and domain control are discussed, and the Lotus spreadsheet tutorials used are described. (24…

Discussion of research on computer-aided instruction (CAI) focuses on a set of questions and hypotheses that form the basis for research on the effectiveness of CAI. Four factors are highlighted: (1) the medium (including interactive videodisc); (2) the environment; (3) student characteristics; and (4) topic of instruction. (38 references) (LRW)

The interaction of adult learning styles and the media, methods of instruction, and group functioning in a distance learning class using audiographics and computer-mediated communication was studied and compared with similar interaction in non-equivalent traditional classes. One graduate class in theory and practice of distance education, taught…

The effects of group computer-based instruction and learning style on achievement and attitude were studied for 190 elementary school students in grades 4 and 5 in Austin (Texas). The cooperative learning methodology chosen for this study was "Learning Together." Learning Together is a cooperative learning method emphasizing five major…

This study of the role which learner control plays in the success of interactive courseware (ICW) was designed to determine whether providing students with an option to review content in ICW--when attempting to answer embedded questions--improves their achievement on a posttest without adversely affecting the amount of time it takes to complete…

This study investigated and compared the level of initial and long-term retention of frog internal anatomy among students using an interactive CD tutorial, a desktop microworld, and conventional frog dissection. Students' anxiety toward science was also compared across the three treatment groups and between genders. Additional data on students'…

Describes study that examined the effects of embedded questions and review frames on learning from computer-based instruction as well as the effect of perceived need for training on performance. Experimental and control group treatments for management training are explained, hypotheses tested are presented, and results are analyzed. (24…

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of learning strategy and summarization within a computer-based chemistry and physics program. High school students worked individually or in cooperative dyads to complete science instruction; half of them completed summaries over the instructional content when directed to do so. The study…