Our main goal in this study was to determine whether the use of computer animation and illustration activities in high school can contribute to student achievement in molecular genetics. Three comparable groups of eleventh- and twelfth-grade students participated: the control group (116 students) was taught in the traditional lecture format,…

We present an active way to use a computer animation in secondary molecular genetics class. For this purpose we developed an activity booklet that helps students to work interactively with a computer animation which deals with abstract concepts and processes in molecular biology. The achievements of the experimental group were compared with those…

This study investigated the usefulness of the many-facet Rasch model (MFRM) in evaluating the quality of performance related to PowerPoint presentations in higher education. The Rasch Model utilizes item response theory stating that the probability of a correct response to a test item/task depends largely on a single parameter, the ability of the…

We introduce an effective computer aided learning visual tool (CALVT) to teach graph-based applications. We present the robot motion planning problem as an example of such applications. The proposed tool can be used to simulate and/or further to implement practical systems in different areas of computer science such as graphics, computational…

Shawn Brixey's "Altimira" is a decidedly strange work of art--so strange that he has not, to date, put it on public display. He turns on a device, housed in a basketball-size glass chamber, and it converts rapidly pulsating radio signals emanating from pulsars--collapsed stars that spin violently, sweeping their poles like lighthouses…

The communication and collaborative interface known as a multi-user virtual environment (MUVE), has existed since as early as the late 1970s. MUVEs refer to programs that have an animated character ("avatar") controlled by a user within a wider environment that can be explored--or built--at will. Second Life, a MUVE created by San Francisco-based…

The graduate of the 1970's must know something about the age of computerization and how it affects his world. The author describes an automatic drafting system and its application, to aid technical educators, who will probably be responsible for the students' familiarity with computer or computer-related machines. (Author/AJ)

Written for beginners, this user's manual explains how to do microcomputer (MC) painting with the Microcomputer System for Educational Applications (MSEA) of the University of Illinois' Department of Secondary Education. It requires no knowledge of computers, and a step-by-step approach to the use of the many different tools used in this medium is…

Describes the hardware and some of the choropleth mapping software available for the IBM-PC, PC compatible and Apple II microcomputers. Reviewed are: Micromap II, Documap, Desktop Information Display System (DIDS) , Multimap, Execuvision, Iris Gis, Mapmaker, PC Map, Statmap, and Atlas Map. Vendors' addresses are provided. (JDH)

Trainers interested in enhancing computer-assisted instruction with graphics should ask (1) What are the training objectives? (2) What technologies serve these purposes? and (3) What is the most cost-effective alternative? (SK)

A description of two devices that "could provide computer-assisted input and output in graphic form, could supply several types of recording and storage, and could be operated at a distance." (Author/AK)

Cites four philosophies of educational computing: computer as tutor, object to be taught, tool to accomplish specific tasks (such as word processing), and toy. Also describes new, informal educational software for the home market, including graphics programs and disk magazines. Specific examples are included. (JN)

Describes the technical characteristics of Telidon, a second-generation videotex system developed in Canada and announced in August 1978, and discusses what has occurred since that time in planning field trials, developing information services, and in planning a coordinated development for Canada of this new technology. (Author)

Discusses the importance of accurate graphic presentation and describes graphs available on "LabQuest" computer software. Highlights include graphing conventions; prerequisites for computer graphing; bar graphs; pie graphs; stacked bar graphs; line graphs; x/y graphs; scatter graphs; box plots; stem and leaf graphs; best fit graphs; and…