Examines new types of educational software. Topics addressed include electronic performance support systems (EPSSs); other examples of electronic support; a systems approach and a human approach to identifying a common category for EPSSs; users' activities and needs; feedback; hybrid EPSSs; and design guidelines. (35 references) (LRW)

SPIRIT is an Intelligent Tutoring System for tutoring probability theory which has evolved through a continuous process of experimentation and tuning. The system manages a unique flexible tutoring style. On one hand, the system may behave as a tutor who mostly observes the student without interference, intervening only when things are really going…

It is important for the teacher to choose effective software for students. It is also important for designers to know what features of educational software make it effective. But the results of studies dealing with the effectiveness of educational software are contradictory. One reason for such results might be the fact that meta-analysis covers…

Reviews possible sources of reinforcement in computer assisted instruction and systematic utilization of these sources in courseware design. Sources reviewed include reinforcement from the machine itself; from the content of the instructional modules and its arrangement in a learning sequence; and from sources external to the modules. (MBR)

Discusses the results of a comparative study of elementary school students based on Cognitive Evaluation Theory that provides evidence that the use of computer-managed instructional feedback can have a positive effect on student motivation and achievement. Use of the Children's Academic Intrinsic Motivation Inventory is explained. (Author/LRW)

Discusses how to design courseware programs that integrate benefits of instructionism (linear instruction) and constructionism in a hypermedia structure. A model of feedback that fades in and out is suggested, four examples are explained, and suggestions for redesigning programs are given. (LRW)

A direct-instruction approach to computer-assisted instruction is proposed, with the corrective feedback paradigm. Features of the paradigm include adaptive feedback techniques with discrimination training and increasing ratio review. An experiment where 102 undergraduate students learned English-Japanese (transliterated) word pairs demonstrated…

Reviews characteristics of computer-based training (CBT) that make application of communication theories appropriate and presents principles from communication theory (e.g., general systems theory, symbolic interactionism, rule theories, and interpersonal communication theories) to illustrate how CBT developers can profitably apply them to…

In early computer assisted instruction (CAI), negative feedback often insulted students and/or provided no useful knowledge. In classroom settings, teachers use the following approaches in dealing with students' wrong answers: (1) ask the question again, louder and slower; (2) ask the question again, using different words; (3) back up and reteach…

Analyzes various kinds of student reactions to computer-assisted instruction. Types of computer exercises are discussed, as are the use and integration of courseware into a college foreign language program. (Author/SED)

Discusses the concept of intelligence and the extent to which it is present in intelligent tutoring systems and intelligent computer-assisted instruction. Topics discussed include courseware evaluation; artificial intelligence; the degree of learner control; knowledge acquisition; fault tolerance; and feedback and self-evaluation. (23 references)…

Substantial institutional support is necessary for computer assisted language learning (CALL) research and development that strongly involves language teaching specialists. Much greater author control is needed over several aspects of typical drill-and-practice tutorial CALL to create more sophisticated programs with more flexible feedback…

Describes the creation and use of an interactive tutorial for college students on the Declaration of Independence, called "Political Society and You." Activities that emphasize critical reading and historical interpretation are discussed, the computer software is explained, and the response form used for student feedback is described.…

Focuses on the first of three stages of the path evaluation procedure for instructional software, performing the preliminary evaluation. The three main steps involved in preliminary evaluation are (1) a program is chosen for evaluation; (2) information is exchanged with the faculty developer; and (3) the instructional designer reviews the software…

Presents a list of recommended practices for designing computer-based instruction courseware based on principles derived from learning research. Research-based principles and the corresponding design practices are outlined for the areas of stimulus design, learner responses, feedback, and lesson control. (6 references) (CLB)