This thesis explores two case studies into the use of short answers and self-explanation to improve student learning in physics. The first set of experiments focuses on the role of short answer questions in the context of computer-based instruction. Through a series of six experiments, we compare and evaluate the performance of computer-assessed…

The case study focuses on the interactional mechanisms through which online collaborative teams co-construct a shared understanding of an analytical geometry problem by using dynamic geometry representations. The collaborative study consisted of an assignment on which the learners worked together in groups to solve a ship navigation problem as…

This study compared the effectiveness of computer-mediated instruction (CMI) and teacher-mediated instruction (TMI) on the word problem-solving performance of students struggling in mathematics. Both conditions integrated cognitive modeling that focused on the problem structure using visual representations with critical instructional elements…

This article presents key steps in the design and analysis of a computer based problem-solving assessment featuring interactive tasks. The purpose of the assessment is to support targeted instruction for students by diagnosing strengths and weaknesses at different stages of problem-solving. The first focus of this article is the task piloting…

A frequent task in educational settings is to assign students to groups based on stated preferences for some projects or topics. This paper introduces a web-based tool supporting both the work flow of collecting student data and the group formation. The latter is based on finding optimal solutions to suitable mathematical assignment problems,…

This paper addresses issues of using computer technology to support in-classroom teaching and learning regarding one of the most frequent problems in such scenarios: the students' attention. First, it presents the distraction and focus of attention problems that arise while using computer technology with off-the-shelf software for supporting…

This paper proposes a learning based method that can automatically determine how likely a student is to give a correct answer to a problem in an intelligent tutoring system. Only log files that record students' actions with the system are used to train the model, therefore the modeling process doesn't require expert knowledge for identifying…

This paper is designed to provide the educator with an overview of instructional applications of the computer, along with important issues related to each application. Applications discussed include computer managed instruction, drill and practice, simulation, computer assisted testing, instructional games, tutorials, problem solving, and…

The topics of computer-assisted instruction, computer-augmented problem solving, and computer-managed instruction are discussed. In the field of computer-assisted instruction, uses of the computer for drill and practice, tutorial purposes, and simulation are examined. (Author/JN)

The role of artificial intelligence expert systems in administrative issues in special education is examined. Mandate Consultant (MC) is one such system designed to provide a second opinion on the consistency of school officials' actions in implementing the Individualized Education Program team process. MC employs rules based on the Education For…

The computer has not yet reached its full potential in the secondary school. Besides instructional usage, present usages of the computer include computer-managed instruction, acquisition of basic skills, teaching computer literacy, evaluating occupational information, and providing data about colleges and universities. (Author/JN)

In order to study the processes people employ in reading technical material and the ways in which information engineering can facilitate those processes, 13 adults, including electrical engineers, stockboys, secretaries, graduate students, and teachers, were asked to perform an assembly task by following concise, step-by-step instructions provided…

Defines computer literacy, reviews the potential applications of computers as educational aids, and discusses the major areas of competence required of teachers who will deal with computers in an instructional setting--either as users or as programers. (JL)

A proposal to replace plane geometry with computer programming in the standard high-school mathematics curriculum is presented. (MP)

Examines the presence of two factors, cooperative learning training and problem-solving computer-based instruction (CBI), in 23 studies which compared cooperative CBI (C-CBI) and individual CBI (I-CBI). Results provide more evidence that cooperative learning and problem-solving CBIs are important factors in increasing achievement, group…