This study involved the analysis of the complex interactions that take place between tutors and preschool children using a computer during early literacy tutoring sessions. Eight five-year-old pre- and early-readers attending a childcare centre participated in daily 20-minute tutoring sessions for two weeks. The literacy software (a beta version)…

Very few studies have systematically evaluated the effect of learning objects in secondary school classrooms. The vast majority of studies have focussed on higher education. The current study examined the impact of learning objects from the perspective of 850 students and 27 teachers (50 classrooms) of science, mathematics, or social science. The…

In recent years there has been increasing interest in the phenomena of "gaming the system," where a learner attempts to succeed in an educational environment by exploiting properties of the system's help and feedback rather than by attempting to learn the material. Developing environments that respond constructively and effectively to…

A project at Loyola University introduced microcomputers into the animal operant laboratory taught in conjunction with a course on the psychology of learning. An IBM-compatible (Zenith) microcomputer, interfacing components, and the OPERANT/PC software program were selected to control the operant chambers and collect data. An instructor-generated…

The paper examines the way preschool children with handicaps interact with and make their response to computer programs, suggesting that the most important factor ensuring successful computer use is finding the most appropriate method of computer access. Difficulties with software programs are noted, including problems with scanning. It is…

Some ways in which microcomputers can contribute to the quality of instruction are outlined and problems that limit their usefulness, particularly the scarcity of good software, are discussed. The advantages of using microcomputers as instructional tools are identified as more active learning, more varied sensory and conceptual modes, learning…

The Basic Skills Keyboards is a software program that features a variety of game files presented in ways tied to the cognitive deficits associated with autism. The program is based on the hypothesis that such students have problems with cause-effect, means-end, and personal agency, and would develop a working knowledge of these relationships via…

A computer implementation of precision teaching for severely mentally handicapped students is described. Computer technology reduces staff time during a typical precision teaching routine: design of suitable teaching programs, a series of timed short drills using these programs, conversion of results into numeric quantities, and design of improved…

A multimedia CAI system developed by the Navy's Systems Test Equipment Program is described. Courseware and courseware aids are presented, including Simple Author Language, which was designed to facilitate CAI program development by nonprogramming instructors. Automatic CAI program generation facilitating courseware transportability between…

A system with which a CAI courseware author can quickly create instructional courseware in any of a number of computer languages. (Author)

Argues that the process of recording newly encountered vocabulary items in a typical language learning situation can be improved through a computerized system of vocabulary storage based on database management software that improves the discovery and recording of meaning, subsequent retrieval of items for productive use, and memory retention.…

Urges history teachers to look into the range of tasks they can perform with word processing, database/file managers, and other software. Concludes there are numerous pedagogical uses for computers besides generating short answer tests. (Author/BSR)

Describes features and uses of IBM PILOT authoring language. Indicates that it is relatively easy to learn and use, that its power is more than sufficient, and that the documentation and tutorial are good. (JN)

Reviews and evaluates a computer-assisted learning package (available through CONDUIT) which illustrates important concepts in the design of experiments. These concepts increase the power of statistical tests to correctly reveal differences between experimental and control groups. Documentation, performance, and error handling are rated excellent;…

Reviews a computer-assisted learning package (available from CONDUIT) which includes an introduction to factorial experimental design, and the analysis of the main effects and interactions of two- and three-factor experiments. Indicates that it is a clearly thorough package putting over a limited idea in a very lucid manner. (JN)