Provides an example that illustrates the interrelationship of the factors that influence educational software portability. Nielsen's seven-level approach to human-computer interaction is used as the basis for a model for factors that influence portability, and five phases in the life cycle of a software product being adapted are considered. (10…

Describes the design of a prototype of a computerized courseware production and presentation system that provides a user-friendly environment for the creation, maintenance, and presentation of courseware. Object-oriented material is discussed, types of operations that may act on the objects are explained, and interaction techniques are described.…

Provides an overview of the articles in this special issue, which deals with the portability, or transferability, of educational computer software. Motivations for portable software relating to cost, personnel, and time are discussed, and factors affecting portability are described, including technical factors, educational factors, social/cultural…

Describes a study of graduate students that observed the interaction between users of a graphical statistical package and a human playing the role of a simulated intelligent advisory system to guide the design of advice-offering user-assistance software. The use of video to examine the users' role in the interaction is discussed. (Contains 37…

This article uses the example of a single training course to show how to incorporate human factors into the interactive multimedia courseware development process. Three types of testing to identify human factors issues in courseware are discussed: usability testing, pilot testing, and field testing. (Author/LRW)

The Portable Courseware Project (PORTCO) of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) is typical of projects worldwide that require standard software interfaces. This paper articulates the strategy whereby the federal multimedia courseware initiative leverages the open systems movement and the new realities of information technology. The federal…

Discusses the application of computer based training (CBT) to human-computer interface design. Describes course considerations; courseware; and software environment for practice, and presents a case study outlining small group production of interactive guidebooks. Concludes that CBT can reduce instructional time and is an effective method for…

Considers the possibility of designing CAI (computer-assisted instruction) systems that are managed by semantic networks. Topics discussed include general descriptions of the suggested approach, lesson-presentation modes, and the architecture of a CAI system managed by a semantic network. (10 references) (MES)

Describes the Hypertutor Model, a message design framework for interactive instructional systems that emphasizes learner control, presentation, practice, feedback, and learning resources. Problems with software designed for computer assisted instruction are examined; hypertutor systems are discussed; and MegaMentor, a hypertutor system at the…

This article examines the concept of interactivity and discusses human-to-human interactivity versus computer-to-human interaction in education. Levels of communicative interdependence are explained, variables that are important ingredients of interactivity are discussed, learner control is discussed, and two interactive instructional systems are…

Compares two authoring tools that were developed to enable users without programing experience to create and modify software. HyperCard, designed for Macintosh microcomputers, and ToolBook, for microcomputers that run on MS-DOS, are compared in the areas of programing languages, graphics and printing capabilities, user interface, system…

Describes learning strategies used by design groups at the Educational Technology Center at the University of California, Irvine, to develop interactive computer-based learning materials. Highlights include excerpts from scripts developed in project design sessions; yes-no questions and string matching; pointing input and single characteristic…

Describes study that was carried out at the University of Calgary to determine how elementary school children conceive of computer-related tasks and how this information might be used to generate animated icons for educational software. Child-computer interaction is discussed, and differences in responses between three age groups are examined. (10…

Considers several perspectives on interaction strategies for computer-aided learning; examines dimensions of interaction; and presents a model for the design of interaction strategies. Topics include pacing; navigation; mental processes; cognitive and physical responses; the role of quality and quantity; a conceptual approach; and suggestions for…

Discussion of the portability of educational software focuses on the software design and development process. Topics discussed include levels of portability; the user-computer dialog; software engineering principles; design techniques for student performance records; techniques of courseware programing; and suggestions for further research and…