This study examines one of the design principles of multimedia learning in a context dissimilar to the one in which it was originally tested. Personalization principle states that the amount of learning increases when the style of language is informal and conversational. In an attempt to uncover the relationship between learning and language…

This case study reports on how students, working collaboratively, interpret and construct a written report of the events described in animated educational software. The analysis is based on video recordings of two upper-secondary-school students while they are endeavouring to construe an animated sequence of the mouldering process. How the…

The purpose of the present study was to examine and compare the effectiveness of virtual frog dissection using V-Frog[C] and physical frog dissection on learning, retention, and affect. Subjects were secondary students enrolled in year-long life science classes in a suburban high school (N=102). Virtual dissections were done with V-Frog[C], a…

With the expansion of e-learning, the understanding and evaluation of already created e-learning environments is becoming an extremely important issue. One way to dealing with the problem is analysis of case studies, i.e. already created environments, from the reuse perspective. The paper presents a general framework and model to assess UNITE, the…

Provides an overview of developments in CD-ROM networking technology and describes products offered by Axis, Banyan (VINES--network operating environment), CD Connection, Celerity, Data/Ware, Document Imaging Systems Corporation (DISC), Imagery, Jodian, Meridian, Micro Design International, Microsoft, Microtest, Novell, OnLine Computer Systems,…

This paper looks at bugs and errors in the following commonly used statistical packages: SAS, Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), Biomedical Data Plan (BMDP), and Minitab. A section on using the Internet to keep up to date on these packages covers subscribing to statistical software lists, searching statistical software lists,…

Presents specifications for software that is designed to support manual development and maintenance of information retrieval thesauri. Evaluation of existing software and design of custom software is discussed, requirements for integration with larger systems and for the user interface are described, and relationships among terms are discussed.…

Educational software can be an effective way for teens to enhance their learning skills in out-of-school settings. Many software programs provide subject-specific content and tools to support conceptual learning and skills development. They allow for individual, self-paced learning experiences as well as collaborative projects. In addition,…

This revision of the structural equation modeling (SEM) package developed by J. L. Arbuckle is a commercial product that can compete with other SEM software. The revision contains new documentation, improvements in the way the program saves files, and new drawing tools. It is a substantial improvement over earlier versions. (SLD)

Discusses quality in end-user documentation for computer applications and explains four approaches to improving quality in end-user documents. Highlights include online help, usability testing, technical writing elements, statistical approaches, and concepts relating to software quality that are also applicable to user manuals. (LRW)

Argues that Grammatik 5 for Windows software presents users with feedback that is often wrong, frequently confusing, and sometimes irrelevant. Expresses grave concerns about it both as a teaching tool and as a subtle means of propagating a political perspective. (SR)

Suggests that good software: constitutes a coherent text within a consistent theoretical framework; encourages users to take action; makes sense of complexity of information; has a consistent interface; allows connection to other programs; lets the user know what is going on; and is flexible from the teacher's and the student's points of view. (RS)

Presents a 10-step procedure for selecting the computer software needed to author and deliver online documentation. (SR)

Provides guidelines for selecting courseware and getting the best price. Lists periodicals that review computer software for remedial instruction and for improving a computer's communication ability or productivity; the kinds of information provided in software catalogs; courseware distributors; and types of available discounts. (MAB)

SOLAS is a general-purpose program for univariate statistical analysis with the ability to perform multiple imputation (MI) for dealing with missing data. Several completed data sets can be obtained and analyzed separately, and results can be combined so that extra variability due to missing data is taken into account. (SLD)