Background: Advance organizers are instructional materials that help students use previous knowledge to make links with new information. Short animation movies are a possible format and are well suited for physics, as they can portray dynamic phenomena and represent abstract concepts. Purpose: The study aimed to determine guidelines for the…

The effects of dynamic and static visualizations in understanding physical principles of fish locomotion were investigated. Seventy-five students were assigned to one of three conditions: a text-only, a text with dynamic visualizations, or a text with static visualizations condition. During learning, subjects were asked to think aloud. Learning…

Evaluating the impact of instructional innovations and coordinating instruction, assessment, and testing present complex tensions. Many evaluation and coordination efforts aim to address these tensions by using the coherence provided by modern cognitive science perspectives on domain-specific learning. This paper introduces an alternative…

Recent developments in computing and mobile technologies have enabled the mobile and ubiquitous learning approach, which situates students in an environment that combines real-world and digital-world learning resources. Although such an approach seems to be innovative and interesting, several problems have been revealed when applying it to…

Discusses the use of videodisk technology to teach biology. Presents videodisk selection criteria for biology teachers, lists 13 biology videodisks and their suppliers, and lists videodisks offered with biology textbooks. (MDH)

This report describes the development, use, and evaluation of an interactive video lesson for a community college level algebraic-based general physics class that could be used to demonstrate Newton's laws and the conservation of momentum. The lesson consisted of five mini-lessons including an introduction, a presentation of Newton's laws, a…

To explore the potential of computer controlled videodiscs for simulating undergraduate science laboratory instruction, the Annenberg/CPB (Corporation for Public Broadcasting) Project funded the University of Nebraska to create and field test six videodisc laboratory experiments, two each in biology, chemistry, and physics. The six discs were…

A study assessed the utility and effectiveness of two interactive computer programs designed to instruct and model effective strategies for reading biology and psychology textbooks. Intended for undergraduates, the two programs were developed at Indiana University's Learning Skills Center, and were designed to teach students how to: (1) identify…

Describes the development and evaluation of an interactive videodisc designed for Open University students in a physics course that explores the physical properties of water. The user interface is discussed; software is described; videodisc production is explained; and results of an evaluation of student attitudes from questionnaire responses is…

A study evaluated the effectiveness of a series of print materials and interactive computer-guided study programs designed to lead undergraduate students to apply basic textbook reading and concept mapping strategies to the study of science and social science textbooks. Following field testing with 25 learning skills students, 50 freshman biology…