Describes a study that evaluated the influence of a computer-based support system on the decision-making skills of graduate students in a financial management course. Topics discussed include the role of computers in business education; the impact of personal characteristics on decision making; students' satisfaction; student attitudes; and gender…

Discussion of graphing software for educational purposes focuses on a study in which three versions of an original computer graphing program were used by inner-city high school students to solve scientific data analysis problems. Variations in degrees of flexibility and feedback in the software are explored. (Contains 37 references.) (LRW)

Relates findings of an empirical study of student use of an interactive videodisc to theories of learning and to other research findings. A study of 12- and 13-year-old students in England is described that examined problem-solving strategies, learning styles, conceptual understanding, group discussion, and the teacher's role. (Contains 17…

Discusses results of a study conducted in two secondary schools in the Netherlands that investigated student attitudes toward the use of computers in education. Highlights include the use of two questionnaires, one paper-and-pencil and one using a computer; student motivation; gender differences; and student characteristics, including computer…

Considers the impact of information technology (IT) on children's learning in schools with particular reference to two studies that examined the value of using IT. Discussion includes the difficulties of evaluating IT effectiveness and some explanations for the insignificant impact of IT in the studies. (13 references) (KRN)

Uses work on children's counting schemes and a radical constructivist orientation to describe the development of computer microworlds for the teaching of rational numbers. Suggests that the design of complex software systems needs a strong theoretical background to provide direction for the design. Suggests that computer environments are the…

Uses the constructivist principle of active learning to explore the possibly essential elements in transforming a cognitive play activity into mathematical activity. Suggests that for such transformation to occur, cognitive play activity must involve operations of intelligence that, yield situations of mathematical schemes. Illustrates the…

Comments on the Fractions Project presented in this same issue. Discusses two major ideas: the construction of mathematics of children and its basis and playful actions as a basis for mathematical actions. Highlights the understanding of children's mathematical concepts and schemes as they grow and are organized in the context of computer…

Comments on the Fraction Project presented in this same issue. Examines the choice of appropriate perspectives on the phenomena induced and observed and the generalizability of the results. Investigates the phenomena as involving student attunement to constraints built into the computer-based learning environments and in terms of explicit…

Comments on the Fraction Project presented in this same issue. Suggests that it has uncovered many implications for instruction. However, there are limitations as the proposed setting is restricted by the present school circumstances. Concludes that better learning will not come from finding better ways for teachers to instruct but from giving the…

Describes the use of an integrated learning system (ILS) in a performance-based diploma program for at-risk students at a Florida high school. Academic and vocational requirements are explained; the role of the teacher is discussed; and a sidebar describes an ILS program for a high school math curriculum in Indiana. (LRW)

This study investigated the extent of computer integration in a field experience during preservice teacher education. Surveys indicated preservice teachers neither observed computer use nor used computers instructional tools during the field experience. They reported a willingness to use computers but received no support in the field experience.…

This study of 18 school-age children with Down Syndrome supports the contention that combining technological access to speech and text with teaching methods providing the language structure to link speech output and text with personal meaning results in significantly improved language skills compared with use of computers without speech output or…

Describes how to create hypermedia-based computer-assisted instruction for teachers developing multimedia activities. Cognitively based instructional design is discussed; cognitive objectives are considered; and tables provide examples of commercial and noncommercial multimedia programs as well as possible feedback and evaluation strategies. (10…

Describes the repurposing of a Public Broadcasting Service television series, "Newton's Apple," into interactive videodisks for middle school science classrooms. Topics discussed include the goals of the project; components of the videodisks, including video, still photos, print materials, teacher's guide, and software; and feedback and…