Examined the effects of instruction in bridging and problem-solving strategy, 2 specific components of mediational instruction, on behaviors of 10- and 11-year-old children during LOGO programing tasks. Describes two case studies demonstrating typical differences between children's performances under the different learning conditions. Supports the…

Discussion of problems in computer assisted instruction focuses on poorly written software and the role of computer programing. Use of computers without programing knowledge is discussed, and pragmatics is emphasized as the discipline needed to supplement syntax and semantics in the field of computer science. (seven references) (LRW)

One college writing teacher engaged his class in the revision of a computer program to check grammar, focusing on improvement of the algorithms for identifying inappropriate uses of the passive voice. Process and problems of constructing new algorithms, effects on student writing, and other algorithm applications are discussed. (MSE)

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…

Two studies examined the effectiveness of self-instruction training via a specially developed computer program to modify the impulsive problem-solving behavior of 16 deaf and 10 learning disabled (aphasic) adolescents attending two special residential schools in Canada. In the control condition, students learned the Apple LOGO computing language…

Discusses the use of pre-Logo microworlds for elementary school children and describes developments that are being made to alleviate problems encountered in classroom implementation of the microworlds. Highlights include tutorial support; a menu-driven user interface appropriate for young children; effectiveness of new learner support features;…

Reviews instructional design techniques that are suggested for improving the quality and effectiveness of educational software. Three areas of instructional design are addressed: (1) instructional strategies, including provision, examples and active feedback; (2) screen display, including text style variety; and (3) human factors, including…

Discusses the appropriate use of Logo and microcomputers in elementary education and gives recommendations for its successful use. Highlights include problems with unsubstantiated claims for the benefits of Logo; the effects of teaching children to program; formal operational thinking; research on Logo; and problem solving and transfer to other…

This paper describes three computer-based simulators developed to support an undergraduate computer architecture course. Using a hypermedia authoring package, a simulator was created for each of the three course content areas: (1) introduction of the hypothetical computer structure--contains a tutorial, a quiz, and a simple program that presents…

Describes study that was conducted to determine whether instruction in computer programing using Logo would be more effective than other activities in decreasing mathematics anxiety scores among eighth grade students. Treatment of experimental and control groups is explained, implications for teachers are discussed, and future research is…

A long-term instructional experiment involving 45 third graders learning LOGO demonstrated that LOGO fulfills some of its early promise when used in carefully crafted educational contexts. There was little evidence of boosting general problem-solving skills as a result of learning programing, but learning geometry appeared enhanced. (SLD)

Describes a study that was conducted to determine whether learning to program a computer in Pascal or FORTRAN improved problem-solving skills of college students when compared to a control group and to determine which programing language was more effective in the development of problem-solving abilities. (26 references) (LRW)

This study manipulated the timing and control of error feedback in problem solving and examined their effects on skill acquisition by 40 undergraduate students learning to program in the computer language Lisp under four error feedback conditions. These four conditions included two types of symbol-by-symbol feedback that vary in content, a…

Discusses computer science developments in French primary schools and describes strategies for using computers in the classroom most efficiently. Highlights include the use of computer networks; software; artificial intelligence and expert systems; computer-assisted learning (CAL) and intelligent CAL; computer peripherals; simulation; and teaching…

This final report presents a summary and second-year findings of a 2-year project designed to measure the effectiveness of microcomputer instruction on reading and mathematics skills, classroom behavior, general cognitive development, and problem-solving ability of 700 disabled students (ages 3-11) enrolled in four special education schools in New…