Describes one college teacher's efforts to make the information technology segment of a graduate course more accessible and appealing to students. The approach centered on development of a tutorial program. The process of developing and refining the tutorial is discussed. (MSE)

Describes the use of concept mapping as a tool to gather data about student misconceptions. Student concept maps are used to inform the design/development of an innovative, simple-to-use, computer-based learning tool which may be incorporated into online courseware. The interactive grouping tool is designed to allow students to construct their own…

The purpose of this study was to: identify critical characteristics of a situated learning environment from the extensive literature base on the subject; operationalize the critical characteristics of a situated learning environment by designing a multimedia program that incorporated the identified characteristics; and investigate university…

Discusses how the use of computer technology in the classroom is changing the roles of teachers. Topics include integrating technology into the curriculum, teaching teachers how to develop Web pages for their classes, software development, retention rates based on teaching methods, student perceptions, and changes in learning processes. (LRW)

Discusses issues that students from a high school and an elementary/middle school identified as important for reviewing multimedia software programs, and includes suggestions for evaluation criteria: entertainment/educational value; skill development; measurement; speed/time; variety; and user interface. Also describes developers' use of student…

Development of an inexpensive but powerful computer program to teach clinical periodontal diagnosis using epidemiological principles is described. Using probabilistic thinking, the student is guided from application of raw research data to derivation of likelihood ratios and how they affect clinical decision making. Student response was found to…

This report summarizes 219 educational technology research reviews and reports from 1990-1997, from both published and unpublished sources. The report provides software developers and publishers with research that will enable them to improve educational technology. It can also help educators make effective decisions as they attempt to incorporate…

Describes an experiment that was conducted using a digital video course to determine the effects of multimedia interface capabilities on computer-assisted instruction, particularly on recall performance and attitude. Results are reported that indicate motion video is more effective than slides, and design guidelines are suggested. (34 references)…

Describes the design and evaluation of a prototype electronic performance support system for use in a university setting that was based on a needs analysis relating to an existing lecture-based course. Performance support for staff and for students is examined, and self-study support material is discussed. (LRW)

Investigates the discourse practices of the "affiliated professions" of software engineering design. Compares lists of design issues generated by students in computer science and computer communication to lists produced by experts associated with software engineering and by students entering an unaffiliated profession. Suggests that affiliated…

Discusses the use of state-of-the-art software tools in teaching a graduate, advanced, relational database design course. Results indicated a positive student response to the prototype of expert systems software and a willingness to utilize this new technology both in their studies and in future work applications. (JKP)

Reports on a study of undergraduates at the University of Strathclyde (Scotland) that was designed to explore computer support for peer-based learning in methodology tutorials. Describes software that was developed to organize group discussion and discusses student ratings of their reactions to the software and to the tutorial sessions. (Contains…

Outlines an investigation into the nature of metacognition and its relation to the learning process in a constructivist interactive multimedia learning environment. Topics include the relationship between metacognition and learning technologies (and an example), the learner's perspective, the designer's perspective, and the teacher's perspective.…

Describes the design and evaluation of a desktop virtual reality program that was developed to teach children about the accessibility and attitudinal barriers encountered by their peers with mobility impairments. Investigated attitudes, grade levels, familiarity with individuals with a disability, and gender. (Author/LRW)

Discussion of assessment of student performance focuses on peer assessment and the development of a hypermedia-based peer assessment tool, the MUCH system, at the University of Liverpool (England). A study conducted with undergraduate computer science students that used the MUCH system is described, and student attitudes are discussed. (Contains…