The aim of the study was to gain insight into the occurrence of different types of peer interaction and particularly the types of interaction beneficial for learning in different collaborative learning environments. Based on theoretical notions related to collaborative learning and peer interaction, a coding scheme was developed to analyze the…

A pilot project examined the effectiveness of computer assisted instruction (CAI) in teaching selected concepts of health and fitness: coronary risk, lifestyle, and nutrition as related to weight control. A convenience sample of 58 students from two Concepts of Health and Fitness classes were randomly assigned to two groups, both of which used…

Examines the effects of three self-pacing procedures on student withdrawal rate, rate of progress, final examination performance, and attitude in a personalized system of instruction for undergraduate students in an introductory speech course. Benefits of reducing student procrastination are discussed in light of the study's results. (Author/MBR)

Criticizes the statistical methods used in a previously published article that compared a commercially produced computer program with traditional teaching methods. Measures of instructional effectiveness are described, the assignment of student pairs is examined, and the use of blocking variables with analysis of variance is discussed. (LRW)

This article examines an attempt to introduce experiential learning methods in a business strategy course. In organizational behavior and industrial/organizational psychology, experiential teaching methods have been so widely adopted that some authors have suggested dropping the distinction between experiential and traditional teaching. Although…

Describes a study that measured undergraduate students' grasp of library concepts taught using the online catalog and the traditional card catalog, and student preferences for one system over the other. The discussion includes the comparative effectiveness of different instructional methods. (12 notes with references) (Author/CLB)

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of scientific discussions based on student-constructed pre- and post-laboratory concept maps on students' attitudes toward chemistry laboratory in the university general chemistry. As part of instruction, during the first four laboratory sessions, students were taught how to construct and…

Discusses an adaptive diagnostic test used as part of an instructional program in signed-number arithmetic on the PLATO system. Findings indicated that differences in prior and subsequent instructional methods affected the learning of more advanced materials and produced lower achievement scores on posttests. Thirty-two references are listed. (MER)

Describes a study to determine effects of computer-assisted instruction (versus a text mode of programed instruction) and locus of control on preservice elementary teachers' computer literacy achievement. Differences in test scores of externally controlled individuals favored CAI. There were no differences between treatments when internally…

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of implementation of student-centered activities based on multiple intelligences (MI) theory on grade-7 students' attitudes toward and perceptions of science. While the experimental group consisting of 25 students was taught a unit on the atom and atomic properties using strategies based on…

The relationship between student personality traits and achievement with either mediated self-instruction or didactic large group instruction was investigated. Subjects were 159 female third-year nursing students at Loyola University of Chicago. Subjects received instruction on tracheostomy care and intravenous (I.V.) therapy through either a…

Reports on a study of 29 students of deductive logic that compared instructor-supplied and computer-supplied diagnostic feedback used with computer-assisted instruction programs. Dependent measures included exam performance, class attendance and responsiveness, and attitudes toward the instructor, computers, other students, and the course.…

This metaanalysis of 32 comparative studies shows that computer-based education has generally had positive effects on the achievement of elementary school pupils. However, these effects are different for off-line computer managed instruction and interactive computer assisted instruction (CAI); interactive CAI produces greater increases in student…

Designed to develop a more practical model for adapting context to learner interests, this study used computer-based instruction to make alternative contexts for statistics problems--sports, business, education, or no-context--available for selection by individual learners. The subjects were 227 undergraduate students enrolled in required…

This preliminary study examines what the effects of additional time and different media have upon the overall quality of English language learner's written assessment tests. Sixteen intermediate-level students (L1 Cantonese), enrolled at a satellite campus of an American university within Asia, manually wrote a 45-minute timed placement test in…