This report provides detailed guidelines for configuring a computer based instructional (CBI) laboratory based on the use of Navy/Air Force standard microcomputer hardware and software, some off-the-shelf products, and specialized simulation hardware/software, Navy developed authoring and operating systems, and operational equipment interfaces.…

This paper presents the results of two studies which were performed to assess the effects of the practice of an interactive video game on spatial visualization test scores. The first study used 70 Laval University undergraduate students as subjects, while subjects for the second study were 101 seventh grade students from the area of Quebec City.…

How microcomputers are to be utilized in on-going mathematics instruction is discussed. In the first section, the ideas of Skinner are considered in relation to microcomputer use. How computer-assisted instruction would appear when Skinner's programmed learning suggestions are followed is described, and other points of his philosophical beliefs…

Designed to broaden awareness of the Texas Education Computer Cooperative (TECC) and its efforts to develop products and services which can be most useful to schools, this publication provides an outline of the need, purpose, organization, and funding of TECC and descriptions of 19 projects. The project descriptions are organized by fiscal year in…

Trying to change the predictive rule for the sinking and floating phenomena, students have a great difficulty in understanding density and they are insensitive to empirical counter-examples designed to challenge their own rule. The purpose of this study is to examine the process whereby students from sixth and seventh grades relinquish their…

This study assessed the effect of group size and presentation mode on acquisition of the process skill of forming and testing hypotheses and selected attitudes. Preservice elementary teachers (N=87) in five intact classes received two 1-hour sessions presented by microcomputer, 1 week apart. Half of the subjects were assigned to three-member…

There are a number of ways in which the educational applications of computers can be categorized. This document focuses on the use of computers in science teaching. It differentiates between such terminology as tutor, tool, tutee, tutorial dialogue, revelatory use, conjectural use, and emancipatory use. The major portion of this paper is a…

A sequel to the booklet "How Computers Can Be Used in Education," this booklet begins by looking at ways in which computer-based learning (CBL) materials can be used in different types of instructional situations, i.e., mass instruction, individualized learning, and group learning. The design and production of four types of conventional CBL…

A number of key issues facing elementary, secondary, and postsecondary educational administrators during retrenchment require a hierarchical decision-modeling approach. This paper identifies and discusses the use of a hierarchical multiple-alternatives modeling formulation (computer-based) that compares and evaluates a group of solution…

This 10-day study compared the effects of alternative ways of using microcomputer simulations on the achievement and attitudes of sixth- and seventh-grade science students (N=173). Nine classes were randomly assigned to one of four treatments: (1) microcomputer simulations; (2) laboratory activities; (3) a combination of simulation and laboratory…

Some examinees' test-taking behavior may be so idiosyncratic that their scores are not comparable to the scores of more typical examinees. Appropriateness indices, which provide quantitative measures of response-pattern atypicality, can be viewed as statistics for testing a null hypothesis of normal test-taking behavior against an alternative…

Discusses production and evaluation of interactive computer-assisted videodisc laboratory tutorial simulations for use in prelaboratory instruction and as laboratory experiment replacement in an undergraduate chemistry course. Student performance on laboratory reports and tests was significantly better for students who utilized the simulations.…

Reports on a study which compared the effectiveness of microcomputer simulated experiences with that of parallel, hands-on laboratory instruction for teaching the concept of volume displacement to junior high school students. Results indicated that computer simulated experience were as affective as hands-on laboratory experiences. (TW)

Describes mechanisms of thought associated with making predictions. Concludes that successful predictors had high initial knowledge of the subject matter and were formally operational. Unsuccessful predictors had low initial knowledge and were concretely operational. Systematic manipulation, note taking, and higher-level thinking skills were…

Describes eight applications of the use of computers in teaching chemistry. Includes discussions of audio frequency measurements of heat capacity ratios, quantum mechanics, ab initio calculations, problem solving using spreadsheets, simplex optimization, faradaic impedance diagrams, and the recording and tabulation of student laboratory data. (TW)