Like any infrastructure technology, Virtual World (VW) platforms provide affordances that facilitate some activities and hinder others. Although it is theoretically possible for a VW platform to support all types of activities, designers make choices that lead technologies to be more or less suited for different learning objectives. Virtual World…

The aim of this study was to assess the learning effectiveness and motivational appeal of a computer game for learning computer memory concepts, which was designed according to the curricular objectives and the subject matter of the Greek high school Computer Science (CS) curriculum, as compared to a similar application, encompassing identical…

The paper discusses factors contributing to the problem of preparing present and future teachers to accept and become skilled in the use of computers in the instructional process, and the obstacles to achieving a solution. (Author)

A full course in digital computer repair is being offered by a Miami area vocational school. The course is a part of the industrial electronics program under the title of advanced electronic circuits and systems. (BP)

Designed for student use in solving linear programming problems, the interactive computer program described (EZLP) permits the student to input the linear programming model in exactly the same manner in which it would be written on paper. This report includes a brief review of the development of EZLP; narrative descriptions of program features,…

NATAL is a high-level programming language designed to meet the requirements of the course author in the preparation of Computer Assisted Learning (CAL) materials. The basis for its design is found in the functional specification published by the National Research Council's Associate Committee on Instructional Technology; developers of the…

Three Project Solo modules are presented. They are designed to teach the concepts of elementary matrix operation, matrix multiplication, and finite-state automata. Together with the module on communication matrices from Newsletter #17 they form a well motivated but structured path to expertise in this area. (JY)

This study was designed to test effects of a specified degree of learner control over the sequencing of instructional materials in a self contained tutorial CAI course in COBOL programming. Findings describe contributions and interactions of learner controlled variables with respect to instructional effectiveness and efficiency. (RAO)

Discusses the approach taken to computer science education by the Lincoln Public School district in Nebraska. Reviews the curricular emphasis and offerings for the different grade levels in the system. Advocates an integrated approach in computer instruction for a K-12 curriculum. (ML)

Provided are descriptions of programing languages (BASIC, LOGO, Pascal, FORTH, Savvy). Included are two lists, one presenting sources of programing language tutorials (includes computer needed, price, language, additional hardware needed, special features) and the other presenting a buyer's guide to programs that teach programing. (JN)

Reviews the role of computers, particularly the personal computer, in the learning process, discusses the many ways of using the computer to assist learners, and considers the advantages of personal computers over time-sharing computers. (Author/IRT)

Discusses the issue of education versus training in computer science based on the author's personal experiences. Highlights include early uses of computers, learning programming languages, initial computer-assisted instruction, the use of courseware, Web-based instruction that will need both education and more practical training, and realizing the…

Cooperative learning has been proven to be helpful in enhancing the learning performance of students. The goal of a cooperative learning group is to maximize all members' learning, which is accomplished via promoting each other's success, through assisting, sharing, mentoring, explaining, and encouragement. To achieve the goal of cooperative…

Describes an interactive simulated hypothetical instructional computer that significantly improves the student's understanding of how a computer works and how high-level language constraints are handled by essentially simple machines. (Author/IRT)