Described is a take-home project in which students use an electronic systems kit to produce a working circuit. Students were asked to identify a security need in their own home and design and build a suitable security system. The use of a computer to produce the circuits is advised. (KR)

This field study represents a departure from structured, or directed, computer-mediated communication as used in its natural environment, the computer lab. Using observations, interviews, and the computer medium itself, the investigators report how high school students interact with computers and create their own agendas for computer usage and…

This review features new examples of using the computer relative to college-level mathematics to enhance pedagogy, solve problems, and model real-life situations. Included is a LOGO program that can be used to create and to stimulate subsequent investigations of spirolaterals, those figures generated by repeatedly drawing basic loops. (JJK)

A computerized presentation explaining how to use the library online catalog (NOTIS) was produced at Texas A&M University. A study using students in first-year composition courses verified that students who viewed the presentation were able to use the online catalog more effectively than those who did not, especially for subject searching. (12…

Describes the application of expert systems to provide computer-assisted instruction support to students to facilitate their learning of both fundamental and advanced statistical concepts. Provides examples of both a modular system and an integrated system which utilize VP-Expert, an expert system development shell. (14 references) (Author)

Describes a study that examined the effects of personal attributes, organizational factors, and attitudinal factors on the adoption of computers for instruction by university faculty. Results are reported which indicate that the technological orientation of the faculty's discipline, computer self-efficacy, computer utility beliefs, and attitude…

A French curriculum development and research project at Erindale College (Canada), established in 1985, studies and initiates incorporation of computer technology into the University of Toronto French program. Specific objectives include evaluation and adaptation of existing software, development of an undergraduate course in computer applications…

Reviews the use of computers to support distance learning in the multimedia teaching system of the British Open University from 1980-90. Topics addressed include hardware, courses using computers, software developments, the move to microcomputers, access, authoring tools, home-based computing, funding, and the outlook for the future. (15…

The effects of teaching with analogies on students' conceptual understanding and explanations of educational computing were examined with three groups of preservice teachers in a computer literacy course. Students who were taught using complete analogies were found to have a better grasp of computing concepts than those taught using undeveloped…

Discusses the design of computer-based learning materials and computer-based learning environments. Topics addressed include learning strategies; the roles of the learner and the computer; appropriate information technology; the situated learning concept; learning environment metaphors; the use of microcomputers and hypermedia; and personal…

Proposes the V-Scope as a teaching aid to measure, analyze, and display three-dimensional multibody motion. Describes experiment setup considerations, how measurements are calculated, graphic representation capabilities, and modes of operation of this microcomputer-based system. (MDH)

The effects of variations in learner control were examined for an interactive lesson presented as a videodisc visit to an art museum. The 101 first and second grade subjects were assigned to program control, learner control, and learner control with advisement conditions, or to a control group. Data on achievement and curiosity were analyzed. (28…

Describes a new product by Discis Books which offers complete editions of classic and original children's books on CD-ROM including features such as reading aloud by a variety of voices, background music, sound effects, help with vocabulary, customized appearance of text, and availability of foreign translations. A library media activity for…

This qualitative study evaluated the cognitive style construct field-dependent/independent as a selection criteria for student subjects for formative evaluation of instructional material. Four college students interacting with a computer-assisted instruction package were observed, and data on subject readiness, researcher/subject interactions,…

Describes an educational computer network, SuperInterface, that could be used for telestudy for university education. Topics discussed include computer-supported collaborative work; computer-based learning; multimedia databases, or electronic books; human-machine interfaces; hardware, software, and groupware; learners; teachers; organizations and…