This first of a four-volume series of reports summarizes the results of the MITRE Corporation's five years of technical, economic, and operational studies of interactive television. First reviewed are some major accomplishments such as: 1) the development of a new cable television (CATV) system configuration 2) the application for social services…

The training requirements associated with equipment and systems utilized in underwater salvage operations and with the diving activities which are a part of underwater salvage operations are examined. The major emphasis of the study was on the training conditions suitable for the diver. It was found that divers are best trained in a tank or in…

The results of the field trials of the Lincoln Training System (LTS-3) program are summarized in this report. The LTS-3 system was designed to teach basic electronics to Air Force personnel at Kessler Air Force Base, Mississippi. The results indicated that the instructional delays due to system failure were minimal, and those failures were…

Describes the philosophy of intelligent instructional systems and presents an example of such a system, BLOCKS. The notion of BLOCKS as a paradigmatic system is explicated from both the system development and educational points of view. (Author/VT)

Identifies human factor issues involved in the student-computer interface in computer assisted instruction and makes specific recommendations for screen design. Factors considered include simplicity, spaciousness, relevance, standardization, changing display screen contents, color coding, shape and size coding, and brightness coding. (Author/LRW)

Discussion of intelligent tutoring systems highlights various instructional models which emphasize experiential interactions. Topics discussed include computer assisted instruction; instructional strategies; the TICCIT system; branching; the Socratic method; definitions of tutoring and instruction; students' interactions with the computer; advisor…

Explores the pros and cons of various computer menu layouts to be used with computer-assisted learning media. The importance of designing a screen menu that takes into consideration the student's learning style is emphasized. (Author/LRW)

The computer can be a welcome partner in the instructional process, but only if there is man-machine interaction. Man should not compromise system design because of available hardware; the computer must fit the system design for the result to represent an acceptable solution to instructional technology. The Arithmetic Test Generator system fits…

Reports on the development of the Individualized Instruction for Data Access System (IIDA), a computer system designed at Drexel University, which serves as an intermediary enabling users to perform complex tasks on another computer. Capabilities of the instruction mode and assistance mode are discussed. Fifteen references are cited. (EJS)

Computer-based systems combining quantitative simulation with qualitative tutorial techniques provide learners with sophisticated individualized training. The teaching capabilities and operating procedures of Steamer, a simulated steam plant, are described. (Author/MBR)

Describes a minicomputer software system for the administration of instructional programs combining interactive cable television and computer aided instruction for potentially large populations at relatively low cost. Both basic two-way cable television technology and the system developed by Michigan State University are discussed. (Author)

A comparison of the theoretically enormous potential of computer assisted instruction (CAI) to individualize instruction with its limited present-day realization indicates that computers are limiting to students. Rather than attributing effective CAI to its mythical ability to tailor instruction, instructional developers should evaluate exactly…

Provides an overview of the articles in this special issue, which deals with the portability, or transferability, of educational computer software. Motivations for portable software relating to cost, personnel, and time are discussed, and factors affecting portability are described, including technical factors, educational factors, social/cultural…

Describes a study of graduate students that observed the interaction between users of a graphical statistical package and a human playing the role of a simulated intelligent advisory system to guide the design of advice-offering user-assistance software. The use of video to examine the users' role in the interaction is discussed. (Contains 37…