Discusses the change from a teacher-centered approach when computers were first used in the classroom to a learner-centered approach. Highlights each of six articles presented in this special issue that explore the issues related to using the computer as a tool to learning with, rather than to learn from. (AEF)

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…

Describes a study of fifth graders that was conducted to investigate whether the type of instructional control affects achievement when using computer-assisted instruction. Highlights include research on learner-controlled instruction; the interaction of student characteristics and learner control; and research hypotheses. (60 references) (LRW)

The complexity of the modern workplace means that decision makers are entertaining the idea of providing employees with software applications that are designed to provide true support and on-the-job training from the employee's desktop computer. An electronic performance support system (EPSS) is the tool that can make such training a reality when…

This paper examines some of the theoretical and practical problems associated with the use of hypertext as a medium for teaching, and explores the positive role that it may be able to play in teaching materials. Hypertext is conventionally described as non-linear, and this aspect of non-linearity is interpreted as endowing it with many attractive…

Discussion of interactive video for educational purposes focuses on the development of a video-supported active learning (VISUAL) resource on voice disorders that used digitized video and an Apple Macintosh computer. User evaluations are reported, and potential applications for VISUAL resources are suggested. (Contains five references.) (LRW)

There are a multitude of academic and non-academic, economic, physical, and demographic conditions that place children in the high risk of failure category in elementary and secondary schools. Assistance for these children may come through computer-assisted instruction (CAI), not only because software is available that addresses student needs, but…

Describes the use of a microcomputer-based authoring system to facilitate student-centered discovery oriented learning in an undergraduate social science course. Use of the authoring system to implement student-generated experiments, to become familiar with statistics and experimental methods, and to promote empirical thinking is discussed. (14…

Describes the Drexel Hypermedia Demo, a hypermedia system that was developed to facilitate undergraduate and graduate instruction about hypermedia. Topics discussed include media advocacy; interactivity in educational media; navigation in hyperspace; learner control; and design principles and evaluation of the Drexel Hypermedia Demo, including…

Apple Classrooms of Tomorrow (ACOT) is a long-term research project sponsored by Apple Computer, Inc., to explore how learning and teaching change when teachers and students have access to interactive computer technologies. ACOT adheres to a philosophy that instruction should be learner controlled; i.e., students take responsibility for their own…

This report describes the development of a project designed to enable new users of desktop publishing technologies to produce typeset documents which approach or match commercial quality standards. "Typesetting--A Tutorial for the Desktop Publisher" is a computer assisted instructional (CAI) program that provides students with an understanding of…

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of three computer-assisted instruction (CAI) locus of instructional control strategies--learner control, learner control with advisement, and program control--on posttest performance and anxiety. The instructional content was a lesson addressing the effects of alcohol on the body. To examine the…

Instructional simulation is a type of computer assisted instruction that is effective for teaching dynamic skills. Control of instructional simulation may be fully automated (computer control), assigned to learners (learner controlled instruction), or control may be shared between computer and learner (learner control with advisement). The…

Discusses conceptual difficulties in the field of geometrical optics and describes RAY, a microcomputer-based graphic interface that was designed to serve as a teaching aid and as a learning environment. The ability to combine theory and formal representations with real demonstrations and experiments is discussed. (Contains seven references.) (LRW)

Describes a self-administered microcomputer-based simulation that allows teacher educators to create customized simulated classroom experiences for their students. Lesson performance measures are discussed, postlesson feedback variables are described, self-perception measures are explained, and results of a posttraining evaluation of the…