Discusses design requirements, and advantages and disadvantages of the following learner-centered instructional development tools: information containers; authoring systems; templates, models, or widgets; learning-oriented instructional development tools; and adaptive learning-oriented systems. (AEF)

This case study describes a low-budget interactive videodisc project that was developed for the Small Business Administration. Highlights include users' needs for easy access to information; system characteristics, including a touch screen; hardware; authoring system; and transfer of a slide show to videotape. (LRW)

Examines the issue of diversity and cable television from a content analysis of 1,035 randomly chosen moments from four channels: network, cable, independent, and public. Results demonstrate that there has been little movement towards more accurate proportional representation of historically underrepresented demographic groups across the 32…

Examines the role of a collaborative hypermedia system, called Multiple Users Creating Hypermedia (MUCH), in aiding students in the authoring process. Students were instructed to use the annotation facility of the system to comment on others' work. It was found that those who made comments were more likely to improve their own performance than…

A multimedia system for teaching physiology, using interactive video, introduced into the undergraduate veterinary curriculum at the University of Veterinary Science, Budapest, Hungary, was found to enhance creativity in learning. (AEF)

Investigates stereotypes of male and female undergraduates at Leicester University who had experience with computer programming, word processing, or computer games. The application of 16 personality attributes from a previous study is discussed, and gender differences in the perception of the 3 computer uses are considered. (LRW)

Presents a position paper of the Vermont State Technology Council regarding the development of information technology skills and knowledge. Essential skills are identified and linked to the Vermont Education Goals, including skills in word processing, databases, spreadsheets, telecommunications, visual-audio-output, computer simulations, desktop…

The use of cellular automata to analyze several pre-Socratic hypotheses about the evolution of the physical world is discussed. These hypotheses combine characteristics of both rigorous and metaphoric language. Since the computer demands explicit instructions for each step in the evolution of the automaton, such models can reveal conceptual…

Evaluates and compares three text-capable Windows-based multimedia CD-ROM authoring tools used by the publishing industry. Reviews product lines, hardware requirements, customer costs, screen designs, product uses, and product advantages and disadvantages. Examples of computer screen designs are displayed throughout the article, and a sidebar…

Describes use of the little-known Shuttle Puzzle in computer programming to elucidate the process of analyzing a problem and synthesizing observations into an algorithm that can be used to generate a programming solution. The process used to solve the problem reflects one that an expert uses. The method could be adapted for small-group cooperative…

Describes Subarashii, an experimental computer-based interactive spoken-language education system designed to understand what a student is saying in Japanese and respond in a meaningful way in spoken Japanese. Implementation of a preprototype version of the Subarashii system identified strengths and limitations of continuous speech recognition…

Examines the economic and cultural contexts of the popular television show "Twin Peaks," reading it as reactionary postmodernism. Argues that the show's clever innovations in production, avant-garde techniques, and postmodern sensibilities obscure in-depth or ongoing discussions about its reactionary politics, regressive and misogynistic…

The Dynamic Courseware Generator (DCG), which runs on a Web server, was developed for the authoring of adaptive computer-assisted learning courses. It generates an individual course according to the learner's goals and previous knowledge, and dynamically adapts the course according to the learner's success in knowledge acquisition. The tool may be…

Multimedia authoring packages and low cost delivery systems make it possible to produce and deliver inexpensive skill training modules. This article examines computer-based training (CBT) in the workplace; features of skill training modules; steps in their development; and delivery alternatives (CD-ROM, batch download, CD-ROM jukebox or tower,…

Four computer-based training strategies for geometrical problem solving in the domain of computer numerically controlled machinery programming were studied with 60 Dutch secondary technical school students for effects on training performance, transfer of performance, and cognitive load. Results support the utility of worked examples for transfer…