The demand to incorporate informatics into primary education is seen as a critical necessity both today, and for the future of modern societies. Numerous countries are currently revising their primary education curricula in order to incorporate informatics concepts and computational thinking skills. Although many successful initiatives have been…

This study examined preservice teachers' problem-solving skills through the use of an online video case study. Eighty preservice teachers participated in the study with a three-level video presentation by a two-grade-level between-subjects factorial design. The study incorporates a content analysis framework to examine both the components and the…

This paper provides a critical review of the literature between 1980 and 2005 on the evaluation of resources for computer-assisted language learning (CALL) with a particular emphasis on elementary education. An analysis of that literature indicates that there are a range of approaches to evaluation that have been somewhat monolithic and possibly…

This report discusses the design of the Macintosh version of INQUIRE, a software package developed to support the processes and activities of inquiry learning and teaching. It is noted that the design challenge was to encourage students to consider information from a variety of perspectives, to make and articulate conceptual connections between…

Online assessments afford many advantages for teachers and students. Okolo (2006) stated, "As the power, sophistication, and availability of technology have increased in the classroom, online assessments have become a viable tool for providing the type of frequent and dynamic assessment information that educators need to guide instructional…

Mixed or hybrid method has become an increasingly popular course delivery model in recent years, but research regarding the effect of mixed learning is limited because of its recent debut in the landscape of educational technology. This one-year exploratory study looked at 78 elementary teacher candidates' view of learning in four mixed courses…

Noting that formative research on educational computer software has traditionally focused on comprehensibility, appeal, and usefulness, this report argues that these three elements tell us very little about the actual role that the formative researcher plays in the instructional design process. This paper outlines the complexity of the tasks and…

A computer-based curricular package was developed to teach elementary school students to solve arithmetic word problems and to teach problem solving skills applicable to situations not involving word problems. An information processing model for solving word problems was used to sequence the problems. Pilot test results with five students…

This exploratory study investigated the influence of two recreational computer games on children's subsequent performance on computer-based instructional tasks. Examined speed, correct solutions, and cognitive processes; and suggests that the extent of recreational game influence depends on how closely the game type matches the design of the tasks…

An integrated learning object, a web-based inquiry environment "Young Scientist" for basic school level is introduced by applying the semiosphere conception for explaining learning processes. The study focused on the development of students' (n=30) awareness of the affordances of learning objects (LO) during the 3 inquiry tasks, and their ability…

A Word Problem Program was set up to teach elementary school students how to solve arithmetic word problems and to teach some problem solving skills applicable to nonword problems. All instruction is accomplished through a computer program. Goals of the program are described along with three basic instructional decisions and the reasons for them,…

Discusses benefits of keyboarding instruction for elementary school students, emphasizing the integration of keyboarding with language arts instruction. Traditional typing and computer-assisted instruction are discussed, six software packages for adapting keyboarding instruction to the classroom are reviewed, and suggestions for software selection…

Describes a microcomputer-based system for diagnosing children's multiplication errors which incorporates the knowledge base of all known systematic multiplication errors, and utilizes a modular approach to cope with the program's complexity. Each module's function, how the programs interact, and the design of pupil-machine interaction are…

Discussion of the development of educational software for reading instruction focuses on seven misconceptions that reflect a misunderstanding of the reading process and a misapplication of the principles of instructional design to the teaching of reading. Highlights include electronic text versus printed text; sound-symbol correspondence;…

Defines thematic teaching, also known as interdisciplinary or authentic instruction, as representing cross-disciplinary programs which integrate cognitive, affective, and psychomotor outcomes. Highlights include integrating thematic teaching into elementary school classrooms, cognitive and social learning theories, motivation, cooperative…