Describes Pathfinder, a microcomputer software package designed to improve students' understanding and skills in interpreting graphs of physical phenomena which was tested in high school math classes. Differences in strategies between various ability levels are reported, and student interactions based on observations and interviews are discussed.…

This meta-analysis of 49 comparative studies shows that mastery testing has positive effects on student learning, but the size of effect depends on the stringency of the criterion used and the degree of experimental control. The effects of instructional time, student attitudes, and differences in ability levels are also addressed. (Author/LRW)

This discussion of the merits of radio as a medium for distance education focuses on the 1982 Radio Education Research Project in Jamaica, which was developed to provide continuing education for rural primary health care workers. The potential future role of radio with education in developing countries is evaluated. (Author/LRW)

Reviews the literature pertaining to the design of the layout of computer text screens as a means of maximizing comprehension in computer-assisted learning. The literature on the design of instructional text is also examined to extrapolate principles that may apply to screen design. (Author/LRW)

Presents a detailed examination of six international educational satellite systems whose characteristics are relevant to primary and secondary education in Australia. Political, social, economic, and technological factors are included in the discussion of how satellite technology can be implemented in Australia. (Author/LRW)

This examination of the activities of the Council for Educational Technology that support the improvement of learning focuses on support for: using new techniques; training educational technologists; the development and use of resources; access to information; and the work of administrators, providers, and policy makers. (LRW)

The Library Resource Centre at Dundee College of Education is used as an example to describe the role of a resource center within a model of an open learning system. Identifying learner's needs, staff development, and library instruction are considered in terms of effective support strategies. (Author/LRW)

Presents a model of the role of instructional feedback in learning a motor skill and identifies six levels of motor skill output, each of which has a characteristic type of feedback. The usefulness of several feedback techniques reported in the literature is discussed. (Author/LRW)

Critically analyzes recent research studies that examine background variables, cognitive style, and psychological type as influences on performance in college-level computer science courses. Implications for matching curriculum and instructional strategies with student characteristics are presented, recommendations for further research are made,…

Describes programs developed for distance learners, including programs for enrolled students and continuing education for employees. Projects emphasizing television technology are highlighted: Sunrise Semester; Pennsylvania Learning Network (PENNARAMA); NYNETWORK and NYSERNET in New York State; Mid-State Educational Telecommunications Cooperative…

Describes study of 122 undergraduate and graduate students that contrasted the effects of two error correction procedures on student achievement when using computer assisted instruction. Analyses of variance were used to determine whether question type or error response affected subsequent responses to factual and higher cognitive questions.…

Discusses the results of an ongoing research study to measure college students' microcomputer literacy before taking a microcomputer course. A brief review of the literature on computer literacy is provided, a comparative analysis of results is given, and a microcomputer literacy index is described that measures literacy and ranks students.…

Describes a study designed to determine if college students' success in writing computer programs is related to level of cognitive development as described by Piaget, verbal ability, and mathematics reasoning. Regression analysis showed that level of cognitive development, when combined with verbal reasoning, is linearly predictive of programming…

Discusses teachers' views and opinions of their use of various teaching methods and resources. Based on a questionnaire given to a small sample of secondary school teachers, reasons given for methods used in an ideal situation were pupil dominated, whereas actual methods used reflected personal or organizational constraints. (Author/LRW)

This description of an illuminative evaluation process as a qualitative research method focuses on a study of concerns about financial constraints in the British Open University. Interviews and open-ended discussions were used to encourage participation and input by a wide variety of individuals with differing perspectives on the problem. (LRW)