A formative small-group (n12) evaluation of a pair of opposed computer simulations modeling the thinking of historical ideologies (communist insurgency and counter-insurgency) suggests simulations had value in stimulating and modifying assessments of roles within real-world settings. Explores basic objective of having the simulation user develop a…

Describes design considerations that were made for a software prototype called the Virtual Library that were framed by cognitive research and learning theory. When completed, the software will assist preservice teachers in learning about educational psychology and instructional design. Topics include constructivism, exploratory learning, authentic…

Describes the design of a hypermedia tool for helping preservice teachers learn about the growth and development of children's mathematical reasoning based on research in cognitive science, and discusses results of an experiment that used single-subject methodology to compare preservice teachers' learning with the hypermedia tool versus learning…

Describes a study that was conducted to determine the instructional techniques and behaviors that either reduced or exacerbated anxiety in an Internet class for novice adult students. Through observation, interviews, and document analysis it was determined that low self-efficacy played a role in students' anxiety. (Author/LRW)

Compares characteristics of students taking programming-oriented versus applications-oriented higher education courses. Topics include computer engagement, programming experience, computing attitudes, a greater gender imbalance in enrollment on the programming-oriented course, the usefulness of psychometric measures, discriminant function…

Describes a study of fifth graders that examined the effects of learner control and navigational aids on performance in a hypermedia instructional program. Results indicated that students who moved freely within the program and had access to navigational aids, interacted more with the program and achieved higher performance on posttests.…

Describes the development of a simulation-based intelligent tutoring system for nurses working in a surgical intensive care unit. Highlights include situative learning theories and models of instruction, modeling expertise, complex decision making, linking theories of learning to the design of computer-based learning environments, cognitive task…

This in-depth survey of 75 early-childhood-education directors examined the current status of computer use in early childhood education (ECE). Results suggest that training may be necessary to facilitate the introduction of computers in ECE environments. (Author/LRW)

This assessment of two computerized vocabulary games addressed three issues: (1) did undergraduate students' scores improve when they reviewed the meanings of words?; (2) did students improve their ability to determine the meaning of new words?; and (3) did students with low verbal skills demonstrate greater improvement than students with high…

Describes four studies of high school students that examined the effectiveness of user-adaptive computer-aided instruction that explicitly models the cognitive processes of composing for developmental writers and is integrated with classroom composition instruction. Discusses the design and use of the writing software R-WISE (Reading and Writing…

Examines the presence of two factors, cooperative learning training and problem-solving computer-based instruction (CBI), in 23 studies which compared cooperative CBI (C-CBI) and individual CBI (I-CBI). Results provide more evidence that cooperative learning and problem-solving CBIs are important factors in increasing achievement, group…

Compares the effectiveness of textual feedback to video feedback during two computer-assisted biology lessons administered to secondary students. Lessons consisted of a brief text introduction followed by multiple-choice questions with text or video feedback. Findings indicated that video feedback resulted in superior learning and comprehension,…

Examines how software designed to complement resource-based approaches to reading and writing ("Kid's Space") fared in four elementary classrooms. Results of the pilot study indicate that given the right conditions, children write creatively in response to visual and auditory stimuli. Effective methods of integrating and valuing online work are…

Examines the effects of computer assisted instruction (CAI) on the reading achievement of male and female first graders. Results indicated that statistically significant achievement gains were sex specific, with only males exhibiting a significant average increase when exposed to CAI. Implications of the findings are discussed. Contains 55…

Reports on a study in which 31 undergraduate students practiced academic argumentation by e-mail. In the two "tutored" e-mail study groups, discussion topics were selected by the tutor, while in the two self-directed "student-led" groups, selection was by the students. Results support the superiority of the student-led mode over the tutor-led mode…