Describes the use of Mathcad, an interactive software package that responds to mathematical input, in an undergraduate economics class. Mathcad uses a rules-based programming language that "reads" the relationships among variables and constraints defined by the user, solves for unknowns, and graphs for one or more equations. (MJP)

This paper offers an interpretive microanalysis of university students' work session with "Philippe," a multi-media instructional program for foreign language learning. The main objective of Philippe is to provide French-as-a-Foreign-Language learners with what is widely assumed to be what they need most: contacts with native speakers of the…

Examines a hypermedia system built as the outcome of a proposal funded by the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council. The system allows students choice in content studied and also allows students to choose their own learning strategy. The system has attributes and features that are important in relation to curriculum issues and educational…

Assesses the effectiveness of supplementary Web-based materials and activities in traditional introductory college economics courses. Results suggest that faculty should focus more on developing self-test quizzes and effective bulletin board discussion projects as opposed to generating online content related to text or lecture notes. (Author/LRW)

The classroom teacher's comfort and familiarity with computers and software influences student-computer use in the classroom. Teachers remain mired in repetitive introduction of basic software mechanics and rarely progress with students to advanced concepts or complex applications. An Online Assistant (OLA) was developed to accompany the…

Laptop computers offer a unique way to package a course so that students will learn academic communication skills using the latest technological tools. Laptops can be programmed to be compatible with a school's computer system, eliminating many potential problems students might face in adapting their home computers. Additionally, a level playing…

This document contains volume I, volume II and the Trainer's Guide. Volume I contains 6 modules of a course of study designed to help individuals, either on their own or in a formal course of instruction, acquire the skills and knowledge needed to provide high-quality family child care for children from infancy through age 12. The other 7 modules…

Safari is a cooperative project involving four Quebec universities, two industrial partners (Virtual Prototypes, Inc., providing the VAPS software package, and Novasys, Inc., a consulting firm specializing in artificial intelligence and training), and government. VAPS (Virtual Applications Prototyping System) is a commercial interface-building and…

In response to a decision at Worcester State College (Massachusetts) that remedial mathematics and other mathematics courses should be taught in a non-lecture format--learning by doing rather than by watching--a math computer lab was created. Three courses each have a 1-hour lecture per week, with students responsible for all additional learning…

Addresses usability issues pertaining to the purpose of educational software, followed by suggestions for ways in which educational software can meet the language, physical, social, and cognitive needs of children. Guidelines and recommendations are provided for adapting usability engineering and testing procedures to educational software to…

The acquisition of factual knowledge is increasingly insufficient to prepare students to cope in this complex and rapidly changing world. Students need to learn effective ways of thinking so they can use their acquired knowledge flexibly, solve diverse problems, and become good independent learners. Two pervasive educational problems limit the…

This paper assesses the impact of using computer-assisted instruction (CAI) in three American University undergraduate classes, a General Education survey course on Latin America (taught in English), and two Spanish language courses. The courses utilized both commercial software programs and software programs authored by faculty using Macintosh…

Over the past several years, the preeminence of the transfer function at Arizona's Mesa Community College (MCC) has been overshadowed by the increasing demand for remedial education. In fall 1992, 65% of the students assessed for placement in English, mathematics, and reading scored below college-level in at least one of these subjects, and…

Describes a pilot project that implemented and tested an interactive system of multimedia computer learning modules for an introductory human geography course. The project used a sequential learning process moving from initial concepts, to collaborative writing, and on to geographical analyses by the students. Includes assignment examples, system…

To relieve reference staff meeting with 30 sections of undergraduates per year, the library at Western Michigan University designed a multimedia self-instructional tutorial to introduce library services and teach basic skills. Although considerable time and effort was expended creating the tutorial, little updating has been required. Included are…