Describes what the author means by "making the student the star" by relating several unforgettable moments from his tutoring experience. Describes how these moments helped him understand what separates meaningful, effective learning environments from ineffective, frivolous ones. Concludes by describing some interactive design techniques he has…

Discussion of the Instructional Systems Development (ISD) model for developing instructional materials focuses on a computer program that integrates the tasks of course mapping, flowcharting, storyboarding, screen layout, and testing for courseware development. Authoring is practically eliminated, resulting in a significant time savings.…

Discusses content management software, which provides a platform for managing the creation, review, filtering, updating, distribution, and storage of structured and unstructured content. Topics include intranets and extranets; vendor selection; comparing vendor approaches; scoping studies; fees; project management; documentation; roll-out…

Critiques current examples of computerized grammar and style checkers. Examines the relative strengths and weaknesses of each program. Concludes that programs are not an adequate substitute for knowing the applicable rule of English. (RW)

Discussion of the notion of readability focuses on predicting readability with computerized readability formulas. Semantic and syntactic factors are discussed, the development of readability formulas is described, and five commercially available computer readability formulas are reviewed, including the Readability Estimator, Readability Formulas,…

Examines attributes, characteristics, and behaviors of performance-centered software packages that are emerging in the consumer software marketplace and compares them with large-scale systems software being designed by internal information systems staffs and vendors of large-scale software designed for financial, manufacturing, processing, and…

Describes a software tool that deciphers abbreviations by finding whole-word equivalents or "disabbreviations." Presents results of experimental studies that test the tool's disabbreviation of technical text in computer programs. Findings show that the prototype tool is easy to use, finds correct disabbreviations, improves text…

This article describes how teachers can use computers to handle a variety of classroom management tasks thus freeing themselves for more time on teaching. Suggests first steps for becoming comfortable with computers and reviews and describes five computer software programs for teachers. (JB)

Describes MultiTool, a new programming shell for use in developing multimedia education and training applications with microcomputer-based software and videodisk-based images. Examines the objectives of the system and its limitations, analysis and design of a courseware module, and implementation details. (LZ)

Discusses results of a survey of 15 educational software developers, which indicate that none of the companies perform any empirical evaluation of their products as part of the development process. Importance and advantages of validation of the effectiveness of a program are considered, and suggestions for encouraging such validation are offered.…

A QuickBASIC program is described that can be used to conduct Dunnett-like comparisons on a set of independent proportions. The statistical method used, based on Levy's statistical method (1975), is an extension of the well-known Dunnett test for multiple comparisons on means. (Author/SLD)

Discusses the importance of skillful visual design of computer screens and provides guidelines for screen design in the areas of information resolution, interaction of design elements, color, and typography and icons. (MES)

Describes HYTELNET, a hypertext utility which facilitates access to INTERNET resources for IBM-PC users. Software development and expansion of the utility from an electronic guide to online library catalogs to a complete directory of Internet sites are discussed. Instructions for retrieving HYTELNET are appended, and 14 references available…

Discusses hypertext and describes three abstract models that represent different levels in the design-decision process necessary for effective hypertext development. The use of information management software is discussed; combining hypertext and information retrieval models is considered; and opportunities for hypertext are described, including…

Describes TEPACIS, a computer-aided instruction package to train users of the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization)-developed CDS/ISIS software, which is used to support the development of computerized textual databases. Discussion covers the structure of TEPACIS; development plans; hardware requirements; and…