An online library catalog was used to evaluate an interactive query expansion facility based on relevance feedback for the Okapi, probabilistic, term weighting, retrieval system. A graphical user interface allowed searchers to select candidate terms extracted from relevant retrieved items to reformulate queries. Results suggested that the…

Emphasizes two aspects for a calculus-based physics course: applying calculus and numerical integral methods to determine the theoretical period of a pendulum with nonlinear motion, and achieving theoretical and experimental results by using "MathCad" software and a microcomputer-based laboratory (MBL) system. (MVL)

Reviews three computer programs for the classroom: (1) Kid Pix, a graphics program; (2) GROUPwriter, for online conferencing for students in third grade and above; and (3) Just Grandma and Me, an interactive version of a Mercer Mayer story. (LB)

Investigates the mathematical behavior of 30 college students in a problem situation that requires them to find the inverse of a given compound element in an environment of LOGO turtle graphics. Results from interviews indicate that, in searching for the inverse, students tend to invert the elements but not the order. (MDH)

Discusses in detail the intricate and fascinating series of problems surrounding the production, distribution, and extended use of lessons in marine sciences that utilize remotely sensed images as the underlying medium of instruction. Focuses on computer-based learning activities because remotely sensed images are derived from the interpretation…

Discussion of problems with retrieval of records in library online public access catalogs (OPACs) focuses on an ongoing research project at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) that has been trying to improve subject retrieval vocabulary control using natural and thesaural language and on the design of a good graphical user interface.…

Describes the development of the Course Advising Tool (CAT), a microcomputer-based information retrieval program that uses hypermedia and visual programing tools to help students develop their course schedules. The use of graphical cues and nonsequential navigation is discussed, and possible extensions to the system are described. (19 references)…

Discusses the design and use of a Hypertext tutorial for teaching choice of access points to beginning cataloging students at San Jose State University. The tutorial, used widely by students, was designed to include linear, hierarchical, and decision tree metastructures to accommodate the multidimensionality of cataloging problems. (12 references)…

The results of a nonrandomized experiment indicated that the group of students who observed the static presentations of graphic images achieved slightly higher scores on the paper-and-pencil performance tests, whereas the group of students who viewed the dynamic presentations made greater gains on the mental rotation tests. (JJK)

Provides a lesson that focuses on three-dimensional graphing, contours, and topographical maps using computer spreadsheets. (ASK)

Designing the instructional interface is a challenging endeavor requiring knowledge and skills in instructional and visual design, psychology, human-factors, ergonomic research, computer science, and editorial design. This paper describes the instructional interface, the challenges of its development, and an instructional systems approach to its…

Describes three-dimensional computer aided design (CAD) models for every component in a representative mechanical system; the CAD models made it easy to generate 3-D animations that are ideal for teaching perceptual skills in multimedia computer-based technical training. Fifteen illustrations are provided. (AEF)

Discusses making the World Wide Web accessible to people with physical disabilities. Includes Web site design; text alternatives for graphic elements; Web sites that help construct accessible Web pages; software packages to improve accessibility; accessible electronic resources in libraries; and the Americans with Disabilities Act and standards…

Reports on a study that examined which of the available simulators could be used by the U.S. Army Armor School (Fort Knox, Kentucky) for instructional purposes and determined actual usage of large-scale simulation networking (SIMNET) by examining usage logs maintained by SIMNET operators. The appendices list Armor School courses and simulators.…

Finding information on the Web without encountering numerous false positives poses a challenge to multimedia information retrieval systems (MMIR). This research focuses on improving precision and recall in an MMIR system by interactively combining text processing with image processing in both the indexing and retrieval phases. A picture search…