Examines processes by which general but weak search methods are transformed into powerful, domain-specific search strategies by classifying types of heuristics learning that can occur and components that contribute to such learning. A learning system--SAGE.2--and its structure, behavior in different domains, and future directions are explored. (36…

Explains how a user-centered approach to system design addressed the representational and strategic issues that arose when developing an artificial intelligence-based system, the Science Education Advisor, a case-based hypertext browsing system designed to collect and dispense ideas and advice for teaching elementary school science. (39…

Artificial intelligence techniques available for generating explanations for teaching purposes are surveyed, and the way in which they are combined in a computer program that provides explanations is described. The program responds to questions in the physical sciences. Potential contributions of this technology to computer-based education are…

Santa Clara University's Robotic Systems Laboratory conducts an aggressive robotic development and operations program in which interdisciplinary teams of undergraduate students build and deploy a wide range of robotic systems, ranging from underwater vehicles to spacecraft. These year-long projects expose students to the breadth of and…

Project-Based Learning (PBL) is a great way to immerse students in a fun, rich, and challenging learning environment. Based on real-life learning simulations, PBL is appropriate for all ages and multiple intelligences. Critical thinking, goal setting, problem solving, and collaborative skills all come into play in PBL, helping to build the skill…

Web-based (or online) learning provides an unprecedented flexibility and convenience to both learners and instructors. However, large online classes relying on instructor-centered presentations could tend to isolate many learners. The size of these classes and the wide dispersion of the learners make it challenging for instructors to interact with…

This paper examines the problem of automatic explanation of reasoning, or the ability of a program to discuss what it is doing in some understandable way, particularly as part of an expert system. An introduction presents a general framework in which to view explanation and reviews some of the research in this area. This is followed by a…

An overview of the current status of new information technologies (NIT) in teaching, training, research, and administration of higher education internationally includes 25 papers: "The Impact of NITS of Higher Education" (C. Calude and M. Malitza); "Educational Implications of Artificial Intelligence" (M.A. Boden); "On…

A course was developed to introduce students at a community college to four major areas of emphasis in emerging technologies: FORTH programming language, elementary electronic theory, robotics, and artificial intelligence. After a needs assessment indicated the importance of such a course, a pretest focusing on the four areas was given to students…

Contains annotations for resources on the history of computing. Includes resources for technical computing history, general computing history, precomputer era, the impact of computing and series. (CW)

Describes three models of CALL (computer assisted language learning) activity--games, the expert system, and the prosthetic approaches. A case is made for CALL development within a more instrumental view of the role of computers. (Author/CB)

A computer-based artificial neural network (ANN) that learns to classify sentences in a text as important or unimportant is described. The program is designed to select the sentences that are important enough to be included in composition of an abstract of the text. The ANN is embedded in a conventional symbolic environment consisting of…

The potential application of artificial intelligence (AI) to computer-assisted language learning (CALL) is explored. Two areas of AI that hold particular interest to those who deal with language meaning--knowledge representation and expert systems, and natural-language processing--are described and examples of each are presented. AI contribution…

This study used the Montague-Riley Test to introduce a new scoring procedure that revealed errors in cognitive processes occurring at subcomponents of an electricity problem. The test, consisting of four parts with 36 open-ended problems each, was administered to 250 high school students. A computer program, ELTEST, was written applying a…

Discusses some of the future trends in the use of the computer in our society, suggesting that computing is now entering a new phase in which it will grow exponentially more powerful, flexible, and sophisticated in the next decade. Describes some of the latest breakthroughs in computer hardware and software technology. (TW)