The problem of human-computer interface design was brought to the foreground with the emergence of the personal computer, the increasing complexity of electronic systems, and the need to accommodate the human operator in these systems. With each new technological generation discovering the interface design problems of its own technologies, initial…

A framework is proposed for the formative evaluation of multimedia. It describes techniques that have worked well in the evaluation of software development and gives examples of the use of evaluation results. The focus is primarily on the degree to which the instructional multimedia program supports the user's activities and tasks in the user's…

Computer applications that facilitate the use of the World Wide Web (WWW) within elementary and secondary education must provide support for educators to locate materials quickly and easily; they must minimize the amount of time spent waiting for files to traverse the network; and they must deal sensitively with censorship. The MicroWeb Toolkit is…

The purpose of this paper is to provide information about obtaining and using HyperCard stacks that introduce users to principles of stack development. The HyperCard stacks described are available for downloading free of charge from a server at Indiana University South Bend. Specific directions are given for stack use, with advice for beginners. A…

Discusses designers' need to design educational software for subversive use, recognizing that users fit the use of technology-based environments into contextually tuned "situated" learning environments. In this sense, good design is volatile design, or design which changes with contextual use. These ideas are illustrated with reference to a range…

This introduction to the Internet explains what it is, how to use it, and how it can be useful to those with an interest in competency-based education. The Internet is a network of over 14,000 networks as of August 1993, with 1,000 being added per month, and at least 1 million machines and 20 million people connected to it. There are several…

The State University of New York (SUNY) established the need among faculty for an Internet-based course/classroom management system (CMS) to provide the means to customize and manage the instructional process in teaching and learning and to integrate the content from a variety of sources including instructors both local and remote, students, and…

Compares a multimedia adult literacy instructional course, Reading to Educate and Develop Yourself (READY), to traditional classroom instruction by studying effects of replacing conventional learning tools with computer-assisted instruction (CD-ROMs and audio software). Results reveal that READY surpassed traditional instruction for virtually…

Describes the use of "Graphical" Jogthrough method for evaluating the user-interface design of the Network Simulator, an educational simulation program that enables users to virtually build a computer network, install hardware and software components, make necessary settings, and test the functionality of the network. Presents evaluation results…

This report provides guidelines for establishing a long-term technology plan for education, applicable to schools in all states. Advanced and emerging telecommunications and computer technologies have resulted in an ever increasing need for teachers and students to develop information processing and lifelong learning skills for gathering and…