Describes two Computer Illustrated Texts (CITs) used to teach numerical methods. The integration of textbooks and microcomputers is discussed, three worksheets are included that contain exercises using the CITs, and results of a study of the effectiveness of using the CITs in a university course are presented. (three references) (LRW)

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of three electronic text variables (run-around, wrap-around, and transparent text) on reading speed and comprehension. One hundred thirty-two undergraduate students in an introductory computer literacy course at a major university were asked to read one of three randomly-distributed passages…

Describes study of home economics students at Ohio State University that investigated whether computer animated graphics that replicate mental images of rotation and dimensional transformation would be useful in the development of spatial skills. Orthographic drawings are described, and results for treatment and control groups are analyzed. (29…

This investigation of the use of white space in print-based, computer-generated text focused on the point at which the white space interferes with reading speed and comprehension. It was hypothesized that reading speed and comprehension would be significantly greater when text was wrapped tightly around the graphic than when it had one-half inch…

Describes a study that investigated the effects of visual display within a college computer-based learning program that taught computer programming language through analogies. Three types of visual displays (text, static graphics, and animation) are compared, and assessment measures that included posttests and attitude questionnaires are…

Previous studies indicate that only 6 percent of the nation's population possess the minimum level of understanding of science and technology needed to function minimally as citizens and consumers. Many educators speculate that scientific illiteracy originates in elementary school classrooms, not from intellectual inferiority, but rather from…

Reports on a study investigating the effects of conceptual models (computer graphics and animation) on learning and transfer of code evaluation and generation skills of novice programmers; changes in declarative knowledge during skill acquisition; relationships between the quality of subjects' mental models and performance in skill learning 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)…