The development of inquiry and project-based materials is challenging in many ways, not the least of which is the design of supports for teachers implementing such materials. We report on the design of educative and just-in-time teacher supports for an online project-based unit in ocean science. The teacher supports were visible as tabs on the…

Provides the rationale and purpose underlying an evaluation of criteria form appropriate for inquiry-based science software or interactive multimedia programs. A copy of the form is included. (JJK)

The number and range of instructional resources in mathematics and science education can be overwhelming to educators. The chief mission of The Eisenhower National Clearinghouse for Mathematics and Science Education (ENC) is to help educators sort through the confusion by identifying relevant resources such as print materials, software, kits, and…

Describes several exemplars of software that emulate and incorporate machine-supported aspects of cognitive apprenticeships in science and mathematics. Concludes with an evaluation of software against cognitively guided principles and with a summary of the difficulties associated with creating and implementing machine-supported apprenticeships.…

Describes the powerful graphing ability of computer algebra systems (CAS) to create three-dimensional graphs or surface graphics of electric potentials. Provides equations along with examples of the printouts. Lists the programs Mathematica, Maple, Derive, Theorist, MathCad, and MATLAB as promising CAS systems. (MVL)

Some commercially available software tools that have potential applications in the analytical chemistry curriculum are surveyed and evaluated. Tools for instruction, analysis and research, and courseware development are described. A list of the software packages, the compatible hardware, and the vendor's address is included. (KR)

Some important considerations for potential courseware authors to think about before they enter the authoring process are discussed. A description of the hardware requirements, an evaluation of 11 authoring tools based on quality and cost, and the conclusions are provided. (KR)

Despite a rise in the use of handheld computers in classrooms, meaningful learning with personal digital assistant (PDA) technology remains poorly studied. This article reports results from an evaluation of customized handheld data collection software, the BioKIDS Sequence, which was used during an 8-week biodiversity curriculum unit by 5th and…

Describes the "SemNet" software and some of its uses as an educational and research tool, with emphasis on the similarities and differences between concept mapping and semantic networking. (PR)

This paper describes part of a project called Modeling Across the Curriculum which is a large-scale research study in 15 schools across the United States. The specific data presented and discussed here in this paper is based on BioLogica, a hypermodel, interactive environment for learning genetics, which was implemented in multiple classes in…

Data collected for the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (1989) within U.S. secondary schools revealed that computer usage more than doubled from 1985. Discussed are the regular and systematic uses of computers in the classroom and laboratories, the types of software used, and the goals for teachers using…

This paper presents the results of three years of development and evaluation of a CD-ROM/Web hybrid simulation known as Brownfield Action for an introductory environmental science course at an independent college for women in the northeastern United States. Brownfield Action is a simulation that provides a learning environment for developing the…