Learner preferences for varying screen density levels were examined using multiple screen designs (high external validity) and single screen designs (high internal validity). Subjects were 23 graduate and 23 undergraduate student volunteers. When viewing multiple screens for each design in Study I, they indicated the highest preference for medium…

A study of employed undergraduate management students was conducted to determine whether responses on computerized surveys are more candid than those on paper-and-pencil scales. Subjects were given either a paper-and-pencil or a computer version of the Job Descriptive Index (JDI) and the Self-Monitoring Scale to measure job satisfaction. (43…

This paper explores the realm of evaluation within the domain of Intelligent Tutoring Systems (ITS). Toward that end, Littman and Soloway (1988) described two facets of evaluation: external and internal. Described here are a variety of procedures that they did not address and some that they discounted. One of the procedures not explored was the…

This document reports an experiment designed to assess the effects of learner control over the level of challenge in computer-assisted instruction (CAI) and collect data that will guide the design of future learner control experiments. The subjects were 78 undergraduate students in the College of Education at a large public university. The CAI…

The effects of three types of pacing in microcomputer-based instructional programs were examined by evaluating learning competency on five achievement tests ranging in difficulty from memorizing facts to solving problems. Subjects were 100 first-term freshmen enrolled at Ohio State University who completed a microcomputer program on heart…

This paper proposes a method for studying the effect of an individual difference variable--field dependence-independence--on the ability of a student to read and understand text information presented on a computer screen. It is argued that in order to improve individualized instruction, learning must be related to predictions of what part of the…

Briefly reviews current research on the effectiveness of computer-assisted instruction (CAI) and microcomputers. The Hawthorne Effect and research results for elementary, secondary, and college level students are discussed, courseware requirements are described, and research studies showing positive and negative effects of CAI are listed. (LRW)

This study compared the effectiveness of the use of computer-based training (CBT) and instructor-based training (IBT) to train teaching assistants how to use the word processing program Microsoft Word. Thirteen faculty, staff, and graduate student volunteers served as subjects and were randomly assigned to either the computer-based or…

This study contrasted college-level computer assisted instruction modules with various ratios of higher cognitive to factual questions and highlights to determine the effectiveness of highlights and question formats. Results indicate that, regardless of the ratio of higher cognitive to factual questions, modules containing questions are superior…

This study of the effectiveness of electronic blackboards in three introductory sociology classes at the University of Regina tested the hypothesis that this microcomputer-based presentational technology would have a negative impact on faculty productivity due to the increased amount of preparation time, and a positive impact on the quality of…

Differences between interactive microcomputer and traditional verbal learning groups in a paired-associate learning task were examined in this study. The 88 subjects, who were undergraduate education students, were randomly assigned to four groups. Each group was given one of two lists of ten high frequency words matched with either high or low…

This article reports the findings of a study which compared three methods for teaching freshmen at Indiana State University how to use the library's online catalog. The methods were: (1) video projection, which used a large screen video projection system and an IBM-PC to present a "live" search; (2) dual television monitors, which substituted two…

The effect of microcomputer word processing on college students' writing was investigated with three sections of a required freshman English course at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Half of the subjects were randomly selected to use the university microcomputer in a laboratory setting to write eight essays, while the other half worked in…

A controlled experimental study tested the relative effects of computer-mediated and person-mediated feedback on the task performance and motivation of 97 undergraduate students. Results show students prefer computer-mediated feedback, that feedback may reduce motivation, and that person-mediated feedback may debilitate the performance of…

This study assessed the effect of an alternative delivery system using microcomputers. All 19 students enrolled in the University of Georgia's off-campus curriculum development course were assigned to the experimental group, and all 16 students taking the same course on campus were assigned to the control group. All students were vocational…