To help the PLATO computer-based instruction system user achieve the most efficient storage and manipulation of data, this manual begins with a review of the structure of decimal, binary, and octal number systems, and methods for converting from one system to another. The text describes the four basic operations that PLATO employs to manipulate…

The requirements of PLATO IV, a computer based education system at the University of Illinois, have led to the development of an improved, digitally addressable, random access image selector and a digitally addressable, random access audio device. Both devices utilize pneumatically controlled mechanical binary adders to position the mecahnical…

Human words must be rapidly recognized by a computer system designed to maintain an interactive dialogue with humans. This paper discusses features of the PLATO IV-TUTOR system which facilitates the matching of words and concepts offered by students to those proposed by lesson authors. The first section examines a word recognition algorithm that…

Both faculty and students need guidance so that problems in the use of computer assisted instruction (CAI) are minimized and benefits are maximized. To introduce new or unfamiliar faculty to CAI, it would be beneficial to hold a seminar where the novices in computer use could learn from staff members who had already taught computer-assisted…

Easy-Test has been developed to produce computer generated criterion referenced tests on any of 300 subject areas at the secondary level. The tests are drawn from over 14,000 items, can be used for diagnostic purposes, and have been shown to be both valid and reliable. Among limitations of the system are the inclusion of some items not taught in a…

Information on six research programs which studied eye movements during reading and evaluated aspects of PLATO-displayed reading instructional material is provided in this report. An analysis of eye movements of "competent" and "less competent" readers reading for general and detailed information showed many differences between…

At the University of Illinois at Urbana, a computer based curriculum called Automated Computer Science Education System (ACSES) has been developed to supplement instruction in introductory computer science courses or to assist individuals interested in acquiring a foundation in computer science through independent study. The system, which uses…

Computers have undoubtedly entered the educational arena, mainly in the areas of computer-assisted instruction (CAI) and artificial intelligence, but whether educators should embrace computers and exactly how they should use them are matters of great debate. The use of computers in support of educational administration is widely accepted.…

The TEACH system was developed to provide inexpensive, effective, virtually instructorless instruction in programing. The TEACH system employed an interactive language, UNCL. Two full sections of the TEACH course were taught. The results of this experience suggested ways in which the research and development effort on the system should be…

The college-level computer assisted instruction (CAI) courses, one in French, the other in Remedial English, were the bases for the data presented here. Each CAI course is briefly outlines. A summary is then presented of the students' completion records and attitude changes. In the case of the Remedial English course, it is noted that these…

Over 100 different sets of computer assisted instruction (CAI) learning materials developed at the Florida State University CAI Center are briefly described in this document. Programs are listed by title; information about each title includes the amount of character storage required on the disks packs within the CAI system, audience level, student…

The most common mode for the use of computers in education is for the student to be directed by the programed stimulus of the computer. This method has failed to solve the long-standing problems of education. The author suggests that the time-shared computer assisted instruction console should be used as a problem-solving tool for the student. He…

The design, development, and evaluation of an integrated Computer-Directed Training Subsystem (CDTS) for the Air Force Phase II Base Level System is described in this report. The development and evaluation of a course to train computer operators of the Air Force Phase II Base Level System under CDTS control is also described. Detailed test results…

Criteria were developed for deciding the fraction of course attendance time that students should spend on a computer-assisted instruction (CAI) course in order to maximize the average final achievement of the class, subject to constraints on the probability of individual student failure and on the available console capacity. The major elements of…

Although much progress has been made in the ten years that computer-assisted instruction (CAI) has been researched, two major problems still exist. One is the high cost of CAI; the other is its lack of flexibility. The former problem will abate with improved technology and the creation of educational CAI utility systems. One possible solution to…