While the importance of "expressive writing," or informal, self-directed writing, has been well established, teachers underutilize it, particularly in technical writing courses. We introduce the term expressive/exploratory technical writing (XTW), which is the use of informal, self-directed writing to problem-solve in technical fields. We describe…

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…

As an instructional technology, cognitive apprenticeship has become increasingly important. Cognitive apprenticeship embeds the acquisition of knowledge and skills in their social and functional context and consists of six teaching methods: modelling, coaching, scaffolding, articulation, reflection, and exploration. SMALLTALKER is a…

This book is designed to provide a quick introduction to LinkWay (one of a new generation of hypermedia programs) for teachers who are familiar with other computer applications, but who may not have worked with hypermedia applications. The book serves as a tutorial that quickly introduces the basic elements of LinkWay, thereby making more…

An intelligent advisor computer program designed to assist undergraduate computer science students in producing an entity-relationship diagram, a conceptual model of a database. The advisor helps students perform modeling exercises and monitors student performance. (MSE)

To avoid long strings of browser addresses, a Florida multimedia instructor learned to create his own Web pages and jump pages (links to other sites). This article explains how he arranged for a Web server, assembled source materials, and adapted features of PageMill, a page-authoring software. (MLH)

Most libraries don't have the resources to cross-platform and cross-version test all of their JavaScript coding. Many turn to WYSIWYG; however, WYSIWYG editors don't generally produce optimized coding. Web developers should: test their coding on at least one 3.0 browser, code by hand using tools to help speed that process up, and include a simple…

Examines Internet security risks and how users can protect themselves. Discusses inadvertent bugs in software; programming problems with Common Gateway Interface (CGI); viruses; tracking of Web users; and preventing access to selected Web pages and filtering software. A glossary of Internet security-related terms is included. (AEF)

Discusses the results of a survey to gain insight into the relationship between the acquisition of Object Technology (OT) concepts and previous software development experience. Indicates that the fundamental concepts of OT and the management of OT projects are not difficult to understand while analysis and design topics are harder. (Contains 18…

In introductory computer science courses, the Unified Modeling Language (UML) is commonly used to teach basic object-oriented design. However, there appears to be a lack of suitable software to support this task. Many of the available programs that support UML focus on developing code and not on enhancing learning. Programs designed for…

This paper provides a history of the "Pachyderm 2.0 Project," a partnership led by the New Media Consortium (NMC) and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMONA), and funded by the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The project brings software development teams and digital library experts from six NMC universities together with…

E-learning provides a convenient and efficient way for learning. Formative assessment not only guides student in instruction and learning, diagnose skill or knowledge gaps, but also measures progress and evaluation. An efficient and convenient e-learning formative assessment system is the key character for e-learning. However, most e-learning…

Portfolio authoring tools within teacher preparation institutions have changed dramatically as portfolios have moved from paper to electronic formats and now to the Web. This study used Engestrom's Cultural-Historical Activity Theory (1987) to examine how portfolio tools, along with external influences and institutional contexts, mediate the…

This paper presents a goal-based scenario approach to teaching introductory database concepts to undergraduates using two different scaffolding methods. One method, termed "worked-out examples," attempts to reduce extraneous cognitive load by requiring students to complete increasingly complex missing parts of worked out examples. The other…

In the course of a Web development project for the Museum fur Volkerkunde in Vienna, ViEx, a reuse framework supporting authoring and managing hypermedia exhibitions, has been developed. The framework consists of three major components: a relational content database, a corresponding browser based editing interface, and a Web page generator which…