This paper contains the results of a study on the importance of discovery learning using computer simulations. The purpose of the study was to identify what constitutes discovery learning and to assess the effects of instructional support measures. College students were observed working with an assignment and a computer simulation in the domain of…

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of the animation of visual information when used in conjunction with text and static visuals in microcomputer-based instruction. Of particular interest were consequent performance on higher level learning tasks as a result of viewing these forms of visual presentation, and those levels of…

Claims that computers and other high technology can replace teachers and staff, thereby reducing educational costs, are unwarranted for several reasons. First, most cost analyses focus on hardware costs, which are not the major factor directing the cost of computer assisted instruction (CAI). Second, technology is more likely to change the skill…

The effectiveness of learning paired associates from a computer-based drill strategy known as the progressive state drill was compared in this study with the effectiveness of having students use their own strategies with flashcards. Characteristics of the progressive state drill which make it a potentially effective drill and practice strategy for…

The hypothesis for this study assumed that subjects who received a diagram representing the structural relationships of a story would be more likely to solve a new and analogous problem than subjects who received two analogs without a diagram. The 151 graduate students who acted as subjects were randomly assigned to one of four treatments: one or…

This study compared the effects of traditional instruction and computer assisted instruction (CAI) on 152 students enrolled in a psychology class at a junior college in northwestern Mississippi. Specifically, the study compared the effects of the two types of instruction on students' academic achievement, motivation and enthusiasm for learning,…

This study sought to determine whether or not there was a significant difference in the achievement of 11th grade U.S. History students learning from sound filmstrips and students learning from the same sound filmstrips in videotape format. Four 11th grade U.S. History classes were examined. Each section was administered a pretest consisting of 20…

In response to critics' charges that use of the word processor may have a detrimental effect on writing, this study identified and analyzed 20 published studies that used experimental and control groups to compare conventional writing instruction (using handwriting) with instruction using the word processor. Five types of outcomes were analyzed:…

Designed to develop procedures and acquire information to help decision-makers establish policies for the use of microcomputers for computer-assisted instruction (CAI), this study involved the following steps: (1) a school-based research project was conducted to determine the costs and effects of microcomputer-assisted instruction; (2) an…

This study investigated the interaction between hemispheric specialization and pictorial recognition memory for pictures presented in three different color modes: realistic color, non-realistic color, and monochrome (back and white). The study was also designed to confirm the efficacy of applying signal detection analysis to color recognition…

This study investigated learners' preconceptions of interactive video (IV), instructional television (ITV), and television (TV), and compared three treatment groups on learners' perceptions of invested mental effort and achievement on a test of recall and inference. The three treatments consisted of an IV lesson that included practice questions…

This report documents an experiment to determine the training effectiveness of a microcomputer-based avionics system trainer as a cost-effective alternative to training in the actual aircraft. Participants--26 operationally qualified C-141 pilots with no prior knowledge of the Fuel Saving Advisory System (FSAS), a computerized fuel management…

The effects of judgmental and non-judgmental computer assisted instruction (CAI) feedback on the self-esteem and mathematics achievement of remedial level junior high school students were examined. Each of 44 eighth-grade mathematics students was given a self-esteem pretest questionnaire, completed a basic mathematics facts drill and practice CAI…

A study at a small southwestern suburban school examined specific process variables which occurred as children were taught composition skills using word processing, word processing with voice synthesis, and no word processing. Subjects were 45 second grade students, who were divided into three groups on the basis of scores on a reading…

This study compared the effectiveness of the traditional library lecture and computer-assisted instruction (CAI) in scheduled credit classes in library skills. Subjects were 18 college freshman attending branch campuses who were academically underprepared for college level study and who also lacked basic library skills. Eleven students were taught…