This work presents innovative cybernetics (feedback) techniques based on Bayesian statistics for drawing questions from an Item Bank towards personalized multi-student improvement. A novel software tool, namely "Module for Adaptive Assessment of Students" (or, "MAAS" for short), implements the proposed (feedback) techniques. In conclusion, a pilot…

The Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside has developed and implemented an innovative, multidisciplinary undergraduate curriculum in Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics (MBB). The objective of the MBB program is to give students a hands-on facility with molecular biology theories and laboratory techniques, an…

Active learning is considered by many academics as an important and effective learning strategy. Assessment is integrated in learning as a tool for learning, but traditional assessment methods often encourage surface learning (passive learning) rather than deep learning (active learning). Peer assessment is a method of motivating students,…

This paper was written to evaluate an undergraduate course, Internet Applications in Education, given at Computer Education and Instructional Technologies department at Middle East Technical University in Turkey. In this paper, the researcher analyzes underlying design rationalities of this course from the viewpoint of Constructivism. After…

Student retention in Computer Science is becoming a serious concern among Educators in many colleges and universities. Most institutions currently face a significant drop in enrollment in Computer Science. A number of different tools and strategies have emerged to address this problem (e.g., BlueJ, Karel Robot, etc.). Although these tools help to…

Less than one half of one percent of all processors manufactured today end up in computers. The rest are embedded in other devices such as automobiles, airplanes, trains, satellites, and nearly every modern electronic device. Developing software for embedded systems requires a greater knowledge of hardware than developing for a typical desktop…

Case method teaching is not limited to larger, complex cases. It is often useful to supplement classroom discussions with short cases, ones that have been targeted for one or two discussion points that challenge student thinking beyond the usual lecture or textbook. These shorter cases are called "minicases." The objective of a minicase is to…

This article traces the historical development of the boundaries around computer software and hardware. On one hand, the author documents ongoing discussions about the technical equivalence of hardware and software. On the other hand, he accounts for the stubborn persistence of these terms as markers for two distinct spheres of technology,…

This learning module for a high school course in graphic communications is designed to introduce students to the Aldus Page Maker 3.0 software for desktop publishing. The module activities allow students to use the software to prepare a two-page publication. The six sections of the module are the following: module objectives, content outline,…

Common assumptions concerning the impact of computers on society fail to recognize the complexity of the social settings into which computer technology is introduced or the roles computer applications play in those settings. This paper identifies common ways of conceptualizing computing and points out their weaknesses. The author then discusses…

If computers are to be used creatively in education, they should be made available to administrators, teachers, and students. Educational Data Processing (EDP) is a means to this end. Small and poor systems can join in cooperative county, state or regional computer systems efforts such as the New England Educational Data Systems (NEEDS) in whose…

In this research, we examine the design, construction, and implementation of a dynamic, easy to use, feedback mechanism for social software. The tool was integrated into an existing university's online learning community (OLC). In line with constructivist learning models and practical information systems (IS) design, the feedback system provides…

This is the second publication from the Office of Technology Assessment's assessment on information technology and research, which was requested by the House Committee on Science and Technology and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. The first background paper, "High Performance Computing & Networking for…

The first volume of a two-volume computer science curriculum guide, reflecting the technology of the mid-1980s, presents 61 lessons on advanced computer literacy topics for high school students. The majority of the lessons focus on advanced programming skills in BASIC. Other topics covered include word processing, printers, document management,…

Presents a simple matrix that is used for budgeting the machine time, people, and equipment necessary to maintain and enhance administrative systems as well as to develop new systems in an organized fashion. (Author)