In senior-level undergraduate research courses in Computer Information Systems (CIS), students are required to read and assimilate a large volume of current research literature. One course objective is to demonstrate to the student that there are patterns or models or paradigms of research. A new approach in identifying research paradigms is…

Provides a profile of the career of John Belland and his work in instructional technology. Highlights include his educational background, teaching experience in higher education, work in learning with 3D computer-generated animation, alternative paradigms of instructional design, and ideas of postmodernism. (LRW)

Describes a study of college students that explored the effect of integrating metaphorical strategies in various graphic representations for learning biotechnology concepts. Highlights include student motivation, the use of a criterion-referenced test, and student attitudes as determined through interviews and observations. (Author/LRW)

Describes a study of college students that was conducted to examine the effectiveness of integrating different computerized visual-presentation strategies in learning different contents; the effect of identical presentation strategies on students possessing different levels of prior knowledge; and whether the use of different visual strategies…

Describes a study of undergraduates that compared navigational study strategies, the extent of lesson coverage, and attitudes about learning with three types of hypermedia lessons to examine how learners use different types of graphical browsers in a learner-controlled hypertext system to construct personalized representations of the content…

Describes a series of microcomputer-based laboratory exercises that are designed to assist undergraduate students in acquiring basic psychological concepts in memory retention. Mnemonics used in the exercises are explained, and computer-generated tabular and graphic displays designed for use in classroom demonstrations are described. (Author/LRW)

Self-regulated learning with authentic and complex problems requires that learners observe their own learning and use additional information when appropriate (e.g., hypertextual information in computer-supported learning environments). Research indicates that learners in problem-based environments often have difficulties using additional…

A nonconventional graphical way to represent functions (the Parallel Axes Representation) is discussed. A computerized environment designed to support the exploration of the representation of linear functions is described. The didactical potential of this representation is illustrated. (CW)

Describes a study of undergraduates that examined the effects on retention of the screen location of information displayed in computer-assisted instruction (CAI) for Spanish. Three treatment groups are described: (1) text was relevant to graphical information; (2) text was at the upper middle section of the screen; and (3) text was random. (32…

Describes ways in which computers are used to help undergraduates learn through designing, i.e., various creative activities. Highlights include projects sponsored by the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) and the FIPSE Technology Study Group (FTSG), the importance of design in curriculum, and problems with teaching and…

Discusses possible changes that may occur in higher education in the coming years in methods of teaching and learning history. The use of new technology to update current teaching methods and student assignments is described, including the use of machine-readable records and databases together with optical disks and hypermedia for visual images.…

Describes an undergraduate student module that was developed at the University of Exeter (United Kingdom) in which students made their own computer graphics to discover and to describe literary structures in texts of their choice. Discusses learning outcomes and refers to the Web site that shows students' course work. (Author/LRW)

Computer Supported Intentional Learning Environments (CSILE) is a project using computer software to promote the constructive processes involved in intentional learning. CSILE enables groups of students to build a collective database (knowledge base) of their thoughts, in the form of pictures (created by students using a color graphics editor) and…

Discussion of the use of desktop publishing software to produce instructional materials highlights a study that used a wrap-around text format with variations in the amount of white space surrounding the graphic to investigate the effect of white space variations on the reading speed and comprehension of undergraduate students. (28 references)…

This study examined: (1) the effectiveness of integrating verbal elaboration (metaphors) and different visual presentation strategies (still and animated graphics) in learning biotechnology concepts; (2) whether the use of verbal elaboration with different visual presentation strategies facilitates cognitive processes; and (3) how students employ…