Athabasca University--Canada's Open University evaluated learning management systems (LMS) for use by the university. Evaluative criteria were developed in order to ensure that different platforms were tested against weighted criteria representing the needs of the university. Three LMSs (WebCt, LotusNotes, and Moodle) were selected for the…

Little research has been done examining the role of errors in learning computer software. It is argued, though, that understanding the errors that people make while learning new software is important to improving instruction. The purpose of the current study was to (a) develop a meaningful and practical system for classifying computer software…

In this paper an attempt is made to highlight some issues of interpretation of statistical concepts and interpretation of results as taught in undergraduate Business statistics courses. The use of modern technology in the class room is shown to have increased the efficiency and the ease of learning and teaching in statistics. The importance of…

We describe a computer tutorial that introduces the concept of the steady state in enzyme kinetics. The tutorial allows students to produce graphs of the concentrations of free enzyme, enzyme-substrate complex, and product versus time in order to learn about the approach to steady state. By using a range of substrate concentrations and rate…

The calculation of the F statistic for a one-factor analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the construction of an ANOVA tables are easily implemented on a spreadsheet. This paper describes how to compute the p-value (observed significance level) for a particular F statistic on a spreadsheet. Decision making on a spreadsheet and applications to the…

Discusses ways in which datalogging equipment can enable titration curves to be measured accurately and how computing power can be used to predict the shape of curves. Highlights include sources of error, use of spreadsheets to generate titration curves, titration of a weak acid with a strong alkali, dibasic acids, weak acid and weak base, and…

Describes the use of a spreadsheet in running a hands-on prey/predator simulation that enables students to see the effect of selection pressure on one allele in a gene pool. Discusses setting up and running the simulation, class discussion issues, exploring assumptions, and extensions. (JRH)

Demonstrates the application of spreadsheet analysis in solving equations beyond quadratics. Considers the costs of interest, gasoline, and maintenance in deciding how long it pays to keep a car. (MKR)

Discusses children's use of spreadsheets and the access that this gives to the instantaneous production of a variety of graphs. (10 references) (MKR)

Describes an activity that demonstrates the use of the spreadsheet as a tool to handle lower level mathematics (computations), freeing students and teacher to focus on the higher level concepts in the problems. (SR)

Discusses shareware and public domain software for MS-DOS systems that are available through bulletin board systems (BBS). Problems with computer viruses are discussed; shareware available for communications, database and file management, spreadsheets, word processing, and menuing software is described; and source information for software is…

Examines skill contexts for Application of Number, one of six UK-defined Key Skills similar to the Australian-defined Key Competencies, as part of a broader research objective of identifying a range of employer-defined skill profiles that characterize workplace performance. Indicates that spreadsheets are assuming a pre-eminent position and…

Describes research using a pedagogic strategy developed during an exploratory work called Active Graphing in which access to spreadsheets allows graphs to be used as analytic tools within practical experiments. Identifies aspects of student interaction with the experiment itself, the data collected and the graphs, and traces the emergence of…

Explores simple equations such as the exponential decay function, a terminal velocity situation, and the more complex situations of the simple harmonic oscillator and damped oscillations. (Author/CCM)

Using Microsoft Excel, several interactive, computerized learning modules are developed to demonstrate the Central Limit Theorem. These modules are used in the classroom to enhance the comprehension of this theorem. The Central Limit Theorem is a very important theorem in statistics, and yet because it is not intuitively obvious, statistics…