Explores social constructivist theory; investigates successful collaboration; discusses characteristics of communication in an electronic setting, arriving at solutions for improving the use and effectiveness of computer mediated communication environments. Strategies suggested are: structuring interaction with authentic tasks, questioning…

Four grammar checkers, all of French Canadian origin, were evaluated: "Le Correcteur 101,""GramR,""Hugo Plus," and "French Proofing Tools." Results indicate that "Le Correcteur 101" is the best French grammar checker on the market and worth its premium cost. (two references) (CK)

Identifies major issues involved in the use of computers with young children, such as developmental appropriateness, computer labs versus integration within classroom curriculum, teacher and parent training, and equity of access. Argues that computers have a major, positive impact on young children when used as part of individualized, integrated…

Proposes and illustrates a method of identifying key words in text, and leads from this proposal to the notion of key key words (words that are key in many texts). Notes that a key key word has associates: words that are key in the same texts as a given key key word. Notes that these associates can be grouped together in clumps. (18 references)…

Describes the architecture of PRABODH, an intelligent tutoring system with six components, designed for teaching language skills to young children and for providing them meaningful practice for developing grammar skills. Discusses PRABODH's language-learning philosophy, results of formative evaluation of its knowledge component, and overall impact…

Presents a situated based computer-assisted language learning system named VIDYA. The principles discussed include use of mastery learning in the situated learning context, student modeling of language constructs, dynamic courseware presentation and a generic courseware evaluation technique. Summarizes the present status of VIDYA. (24 references)…

Pathfinder is a graphic theoretic technique used to analyze proximity data. This study evaluates its validity: (1) for representing and comparing individuals' navigation through a computer-based hypermedia environment; and (2) for generating an empirically-derived path that represents a set of individual navigational paths during computer-assisted…

Presents a computer-based information system developed to support information understanding based on knowledge structures in hypermedia contexts. Examines the development and implementation of an understanding support system (USS), providing computational support for representation and access of knowledge structures. Discusses adding link-based…

Analyzes the requirements for constructing collaborative learning activities in distance computer assisted learning (CAL) systems; shows why an active database can satisfy the requirements with a collaborative homework example; and proposes procedures for using an active database to construct collaborative learning activities in distance CAL…

Discusses the need for a student who is using computer-aided instruction to also study the actual learning process. Regardless of the superiority of the teaching materials, the restructuring of previously existing knowledge structures in the learner is difficult. Computer-aided instruction should be aimed at helping with this restructuring.…

Explains the roles of participants, technology, language, and content when planning and implementing computer literacy lessons in the foreign language classroom, offers suggestions regarding these components, and provides an example to illustrate the application of these components. (Author/VWL)

Study examines the effects of using software with a game format (as a supplement to teacher instruction) to improve math performance of fourth- to sixth-grade students with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. The hypothesis that math software with a game format would improve the academic performance and increase attention of all participants…

Discusses the distribution of cognition in small virtual group learning and examines how the distribution of cognition is manifested in the context of student-student interaction. Describes a collaborative problem-solving situation in a virtual learning environment and presents an approach to analyzing and modeling asynchronous collaborative…

Describes a study that examined the role of the computer with multimedia software in assessing the perception of the basic time concepts by children. Results indicated superiority in children's judgments when multimedia software was used and a positive correlation between age and comprehension. (Author/LRW)

Describes research conducted with Hong Kong university students that investigated challenges to collaboration during computer-assisted instruction as evidenced by discourse. Evaluates videotapes of the students according to a set of discourse markers and suggests implications for software designers, teachers, and students to enhance collaboration…