Computer-adaptive testing (CAT) allows improved security, greater scoring accuracy, shorter testing periods, quicker availability of results, and reduced guessing and other undesirable test behavior. Simple approaches can be applied by the classroom teacher, or other content specialist, who possesses simple computer equipment and elementary…

The application of the "back-propagation" learning algorithm to the task of determining the right set of features corresponding to the words in an input sentence is described. Features that are specific to particular nouns and verbs, that indicate whether a nominal constituent is singular or plural, definite or indefinite, and that…

Nine methods for automated test construction are described. All are based on the concepts of information from item response theory. Two general kinds of methods for the construction of parallel tests are presented: (1) sequential test design; and (2) simultaneous test design. Sequential design implies that the tests are constructed one after the…

To demonstrate to computer programmers that the programming language Ada provides superior facilities for use in artificial intelligence applications, the three papers included in this report investigate the capabilities that exist within Ada for "pattern-directed" programming. The first paper (Larry H. Reeker, Tulane University) is…

Item response curves for a set of binary responses are studied from a Bayesian viewpoint of estimating the item parameters. For the two-parameter logistic model with normally distributed ability, restricted bivariate beta priors are used to illustrate the computation of the posterior mode via the EM algorithm. The procedure is illustrated by data…

The materials in this teacher's guide are designed for about 18 weeks of study by secondary school students. For maximum benefit, the student needs contact with a computer, primarily for verifying and trouble-shooting the algorithms which he or she has constructed. The course is usually taught for grade 11 or 12 students. The commentary contains…

With the advent of computers and electronic calculators, the role of logarithms in the curriculum is changing. An intuitive approach to logarithms, stressing the notion of isomorphism, is discussed. (SD)

The calculator is used to explore the distributive property of a unary operator over a binary operator. This is an extension of an earlier paper. The emphasis is on student discovery of the property for various combinations of the operators. Instructional material contained in the report include a reference sheet of questions for potential…

The use of statistical methods in the design and analysis of discrete algorithms is explored. The introductory chapter contains a literature survey and background material on probability theory. In Chapter 2, probabilistic approximation algorithms are discussed with the goal of exposing and correcting some oversights in previous work. Chapter 3…

This study of ranking algorithms used in a Boolean environment is based on an evaluation of factors affecting document ranking by information retrieval systems. The algorithms were decomposed into term weighting schemes and similarity measures, representatively selected from those known to exist in information retrieval environments, before being…

A PROGRAM THAT WOULD DEVISE OPTIMAL ROUTES FOR SCHOOL BUSES WAS DEVELOPED. ONE OF THE TWO MODELS DEVELOPED FOR THIS STUDY, CALLED THE HEURISTIC MODEL, WAS A HAND PROCEDURE BASED ON THE ASSUMPTION THAT, IN AN EFFICIENT SCHOOL BUS SYSTEM, STUDENT MILES SHOULD BE MINIMIZED RATHER THAN BUS MILES. THE OTHER MODEL WAS DESIGNED TO BE USED WITH HIGH SPEED…

This paper is a theoretical discussion of several functions of knowledge systems based on the idea of partial matching, that is, comparison of two or more descriptions by identification of their similarities. Several knowledge system functions are described in terms of partial or best matchings including analogical reasoning, inductive inference,…

CYBERNETICS IN EDUCATION IMPLIES COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE INSTRUCTIONAL PROCESS, WHOSE GOALS ARE SPECIFIED BY COMMUNIST POLICY. MODELS FOR INSTRUCTIONAL PROCESSES, INCLUDING BOTH LOGICAL ALGORITHMS, AND NON-ALGORITHMIC OR PROBABILITY PROBLEMS, MUST BE TESTED EXPERIMENTALLY SO SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES CAN BE STATED. THE INSTRUCTIONAL PROCESS ITSELF MUST…

The research reported in this paper was designed to analyze the incidence of use of higher-order rules by students solving geometric construction problems. A carefully selected set of construction problems was subjected to rigorous a priori analysis by mathematics educators to determine what basic and second-order rules might be used by able high…