Describes some of the basic concepts and terminology associated with second-generation instructional design (ID2), including knowledge acquisition and analysis, transaction analysis, and transaction authoring. An example is presented to illustrate how ID2 would apply in the development of a computer-based instructional program for learning how to…

Undergraduate control groups (n=45) completed textbook grammar exercises; experimental groups (n=53) used self-paced tutorial/drill-and-practice software. Although students using computer-assisted instruction (CAI) made significant improvement, they had reservations about the method. CAI combined with instructor interaction seem to be a feasible…

Highlights some of the more important issues that affect the education of exceptional learners, including shared responsibility, transition, technology, and special health. (SR)

Discussion of the development of intelligent tutoring systems (ITS) using expert systems and hypertext focuses on the Physics Tutor, a prototype ITS built with off-the-shelf software to test the utility, practicality, and generalizability of the ITS concept. Expert models and student models are explained. (Contains 27 references.) (LRW)

New applications of computer-assisted training being developed include telecommunications, artificial intelligence, soft skills training, and performance support systems. Barriers to acceptance are development time, costs, and lack of human contact. (SK)

Describes the creation and use of macros for simple computer-aided instruction using the Open Access integrated software from SPI (Software Products International, UK). Sample screen displays are included. (MES)

Examines problems of existing courseware authoring systems and suggests the use of knowledge-based techniques. A prototype knowledge-based representation language called GTE (Generic Tutoring Environment) is described that could form the basis of a full authoring environment, including generic tasks and instructional methods, domain knowledge, and…

Two groups of 9- to 11-year-olds were asked to find and correct spelling errors, one using a typewritten story and a dictionary, the other viewing the story on a computer monitor and utilizing a spell-checker program. Although error detection rates were higher in the spell checker group than in the dictionary group, efficiency and spelling…

Discusses the use of Microsoft Excel software and provides examples of its use in an online statistics course at Golden Gate University in the areas of randomness and probability, sampling distributions, confidence intervals, and regression analysis. (LRW)

Describes the development of "SuperMacLang, the 1990s version of the MacLang authoring system. An analysis of various features of the program explains the ways in which certain aspects of collaboration and funding affected developer and programming decisions. (Author/VWL)

A survey of 306 undergraduate and graduate students, focus groups, and lecturers' reports evaluated a Web-enabled distributed learning system. The system was popular with students, flexible, self-paced, and empowering; technical support difficulties generated frustration. There was less interaction than desired and a lack of instant feedback and…

Suggests that teachers can use computer software and Internet connections to enhance curriculum and capitalize student's natural interest in sports and sports figures. Provides a list of activities that students can do in relation to the Olympic games and gives information on how technology can assist in such activities. Appropriate Internet…

Examines how students interacted with a computer-based feature in Urinalysis Tutor(TM), "Compare and Contrast," which facilitated image comparisons. Three main image-viewing modes emerged. Overall, anchored viewing was the predominant image-viewing mode. Results suggest that a computer instructional program with a user-controlled…

Describes four major models of learning: behaviorism, cognitivism, constructivism, and social constructivism. Discusses situated cognition; differences between learning theories and instructional approaches; and how computer-mediated technologies can be integrated with learning theories. (LRW)

Investigates the value of computer technology as a medium for the delivery of parallel texts in English and Chinese for language learning. A English-Chinese parallel corpus was created for use in parallel concordancing--a technique that has been developed to respond to the desire to study language in its natural contexts of use. (Author/VWL)