This paper reviews an approach for finding optimal solutions to the traveling salesman problem, a well-known problem in combinational optimization, and describes implementing the approach using the MAPLE computer algebra system. The method employed in this approach to the problem is similar to the way ant colonies manage to establish shortest…

Investigates the effects of selected characteristics of a web-aided instructional simulation on students' conceptual change, problem solving, and transfer abilities. Conducts a two-pronged research study with (n=117) students enrolled in a beginning meteorology course at Iowa State University. Compares three groups--with-log group, without-log…

Presents three science activities for the first week of class that use the cooperative learning approach and computers. Requires students to create a web page to introduce group members. (YDS)

Describes a Web site that makes use of the Comparative Statics Wizard add-in feature for Microsoft Excel. Enables students to focus on economic problems involving optimality, rate of change, and equilibrium solutions. (JEH)

Summarizes points made by various commentators about the pitfalls of Web teaching. Critiques the integration of computer-assisted instruction into the larger curriculum, the quality of World Wide Web resources for teaching biochemistry, and the assessment of computer-assisted instructional components. (DDR)

Discusses the utility of web-based materials in the curriculum and describes the goals, content, and outcomes of the Bosnian Virtual Fieldtrip. Explains how the field trip relates to general issues of Web usage by situating geographic principles into a real-life situation. Addresses the implications of using web-based materials. (CMK)

Describes the hypermodel approach to designing science education software. Hypermodels combine stored or web-based multimedia materials with a manipulable model of the subject domain. Hypermodels are scriptable, and are powerful tools for creating various activities or web-labs that challenge students to solve puzzles, then monitor and react to…

This paper focuses on the purposes, theoretical model, and functionality of the SMILE (Solution Mapping Intelligent Learning Environment) Maker--a World Wide Web-based problem-solving tool. From an instructional design point of view, an attempt to establish a balance between constructivism/instructivism, content-treatment…

The Internet-Based Shared Environment for Expeditions (iExpeditions) is both a development effort of the Center for Technology Innovations in Education, University of Missouri, Columbia, and a research project conducted in partnership with Motorola, Inc. and a researcher at Brigham Young University (Utah). The project seeks to develop and…

The benefits of high-level mathematics packages such as Matlab include both a computer algebra system and the ability to provide students with concrete visual examples. This paper discusses how both capabilities of Matlab were used in a multivariate calculus class. Graphical user interfaces which display three-dimensional surfaces, contour plots,…

Network Science projects are endeavors in which a number of classrooms conduct the same scientific experiment and pool their data using World Wide Web technology. This paper reviews selected findings from research on these projects and describes the recent Web applications that were developed in response to these findings. Findings indicated that…

Investigated middle school students' computer tool use in managing and manipulating Internet-based hypermedia resources, hypothesizing that tools would let students process hypermedia resources at higher levels to solve complex, open-ended questions. Tools alone did not help students manage hypermedia information for solving these problems.…

This paper discusses comparisons of student comments and analysis of comments from a face-to-face course with Web-enhancements, a video-based, hybrid course with Web-enhancements and a Web-based course. In order to provide student problem-solving participants both individual and personal experiences (and attitudes) concerning the use of course…

Describes a teaching unit composed of two Web-based activities which draw upon authentic, primary sources available on the Library of Congress American Memory Web site (http://memory.loc.gov). Discusses the problem-based learning framework, the "prompt," links to selected information sources, and testing the unit. (AEF)

Summarizes recent developments in student-centered open-ended learning environments, which provide electronic tools and resources for students to use in addressing authentic situated problems and to support students' thinking and problem-solving processes. Also analyzes issues in design and utilization and presents implications for teaching,…