The development and evaluation of a potential viewdata-style delivery system for computer assisted learning (CAL) at the Open University are described. First examined are Open University problems with CAL and television delivery systems, which resulted in the consideration of a viewdata approach involving allocation of a small central processor to…

We describe the evolving learning design of a computer-based exercise called "Director's Cut" that challenges students to create their own video sequence from a set of clips we provide. The context is a film theory course where the community of educators have been interested in introducing practical exercises so students can, for…

This paper looks at how the concept of reusability has gained currency in e-learning. Initial attention was focused on reuse of content, but recently attention has focused on reusable software tools and reusable activity structures. The former has led to the proposal of service-oriented architectures, and the latter has seen the development of the…

Presents three specific examples of chemical engineering problems which can be interactively solved on personal computers with commercially available software. Illustrates the potential impact of interactive problem solving on chemical engineering. Discusses how this has been accomplished at Ben Gurion University (Israel) and the University of…

Effectiveness of two versions of computer software used as an electronic blackboard to present geometric concepts to ninth grade students was compared. The experimental version incorporated color, animation, and nonverbal sounds as stimuli; the no-stimulus version was monochrome. Both immediate and delayed learning were significantly better for…

Presents results of a 1984 survey of microcomputer applications, hardware, and software utilization in the libraries of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. Findings--which are summarized separately for each country as well as for the group--indicate microcomputer uses are neither as sophisticated nor as varied as expected. (MBR)

Examines the new emphasis on introducing computers into secondary schools in the Soviet Union and describes the development of a computer literacy course, including descriptions of course materials and teacher training. Technical and socioeconomic problems hindering the program's success, especially regarding computer hardware and software, are…

This article is the result of author's visit to more than 16 of China's top university libraries, various Academy of Sciences libraries, and National Peking Library during 1984-85 academic year. Topics covered include hardware inventory, software applications development, Chinese ideograph automation, China's library classification system, and…

Describes a special application of the microcomputer for small and large group instruction called Computer-Guided-Teaching (CGT). Effective teaching strategies incorporated in CGT lessons are discussed, and a description of a formal geometry course illustrates their use in CGT lessons. (MBR)

This study investigated the problem-solving competency of four secondary pre service teachers (PSTs) of University of London as they explored geometry problems in dynamic geometry environment (DGE) in 2004. A constructivist experiment was designed in which dynamic software Cabri-Geometre II (hereafter Cabri) was used as an interactive medium.…

This paper analyses a case study of a pair of students working together, who were asked to produce conjectures and to validate them within the dynamic geometry environment Cabri. Our aim is to scrutinize the students' reasoning, how the gap from perception to theory is filled, how Cabri influences the reasoning. We have singled out a sequence of…

This paper explains the similarities and differences between electronic mail and computer conferencing, and identifies the features one should look for in a modern conferencing system. It also clarifies some related terminology. Advantages of computer conferencing are first outlined, including: time- and space- independence; text-based medium;…

In 1996, the Czech National Library started a large-scale digitization of its extensive and invaluable collection of historical manuscripts and printed books. Each page of the selected documents is scanned using a high-resolution, full-color digital camera, processed, and archived on a CD-ROM disk. HTML coded description is added to the entire…

The demand for extensive reusability of large language text collections for natural languages processing research requires development of standardized encoding formats. Such formats must be capable of representing different kinds of information across the spectrum of text types and languages, capable of representing different levels of…

An Open University program to develop software for a microcomputer/speech synthesizer is described that could provide broad access to university programming, computer-assisted instruction, and data processing. The state of the art of speech synthesis and the problems encountered in program construction and trial are outlined. (MSE)