A small class of functions is described that easily lend themselves to two-dimensional and three-dimensional visualizations at the basic calculus level. The intended audience is those educators involved in the instruction of elementary calculus. This note is an educational piece that begins with the question: "What happens if a function defined on…

Microsoft PowerPoint™ has become the generic name used when describing slideware applications. This study analyzed the gender differences of participant attitudes and perceptions of various components of PowerPoint™ presentations. Preservice science teachers (none licensed, mostly undergraduates) viewing PowerPoint™ presentations of science…

Mathematical knowledge can be categorized in different ways. One commonly used way is to distinguish between procedural mathematical knowledge and conceptual mathematical knowledge. Procedural knowledge of mathematics refers to formal language, symbols, algorithms, and rules. Conceptual knowledge is essential for meaningful understanding of…

This study of the relationship of computer technology to character animation focuses on the advantages and constraints of developing three-dimensional characters for computer animation. Three different levels of the complexity involved in animating characters are examined: (1) a three-dimensional computer environment and simple motion within this…

A computer-based method for producing 35mm color slides has been used in Ohio State University's College of Dentistry. The method can produce both text and slides in less than two hours, providing substantial flexibility in planning and revising visual presentations. (Author/MLW)

Interactive computer graphics is fast becoming the standard medium of communication between computers and all kinds of users. Reasons for this trend, the technology of interactive graphics displays, software considerations, applications (including classroom and laboratory applications), and future developments are discussed. (JN)

Presents a programing subroutine which will create a graphical plot that occupies any number of columns specified by user and will run with versions of BASIC programming language. Illustrations of the subroutine's ability to operate successfully for three possibilities (negative values, positive values, and both positive and negative values) are…

This study assesses the relationship of student performance using two microcomputer instructional application software designs, one with graphics and the other without graphics, as a teaching aid in comma usage. Results indicated that there was no significant difference in performance between the graphic and nongraphic treatment groups. (CT)

Presents the listing (and documentation) for an arithmetic drill program with color graphics and sound. The program offers simple arithmetic problems illustrated by colorful dinosaurs. A buzzer sounds if an answer is incorrect while a short piece of dinosaur music is heard if an answer is correct. (JN)

Discusses basic features and functions of spreadsheet programs and describes additional capabilities (editing, windowing, graphics, and word processing) of two second-generation spreadsheet programs: Lotus 1-2-3 and Symphony. (MBR)

Epicycloids are formed by tracing the path of a fixed point on a circle as it rolls aroung the outside of a larger circle. Examines several possibilities related to epicycloids (and hypocycloids), presenting more mathematical patterns and artistic shapes that result from using several computer programs. Program listings are included. (JN)

Discusses the hardware and software necessary to generate charts and graphs to illustrate numeric data using a microcomputer. The manufacturer, price, operating system, memory requirements, and types of graphs they can produce are given for nine graphics software packages and seven inexpensive plotters. (MBR)

Describes the uses of Lotus 1-2-3 (a spreadsheet-graphics-database program created by Lotus Development Corporation) and Symphony 1.1 (a refinement and expansion of Symphony 1.01 providing memory efficiency, speed, ease of use, greater file compatibility). Spreadsheet and graphics capabilities, the use of windows, database environment, and…

Describes implementation, support, and evaluation of computer assisted learning (CAL) projects at three universities: Project Athena at Massachusetts Institute of Technology; the Andrew network at Carnegie Mellon University; and a project at Stanford University. Topics discussed include work stations, microcomputers, computer networks, graphics,…

Computer video games are an emerging instructional medium offering strong degrees of cognitive efficiencies for experiential learning, team building, and greater understanding of abstract concepts. As with other new media adopted for use by instructional technologists for pedagogical purposes, barriers to classroom implementation have manifested…