Two methods of teaching computation to undergraduates in a department of technology are described and the results are contrasted quantitatively and qualitatively. Conclusions indicate that a learner-directed discovery approach is best suited to this type of course. (Author/JEG)

A computer-assisted instruction (CAI) curriculum module covering the area of electrical inductance was developed and evaluated. This module was a part of a program in which a series of CAI modules are being developed and tested for a Navy training course in basic electronics. After the module was written, it was given three tryout tests.…

Ten computer languages are compared and contrasted. A series of programs focusing on the average of two numbers are designed to point out differences in console input, console output, and common arithmetic. (MP)

A study involving 120 undergraduate students attending the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul (Minnesota) was undertaken to test the interactive effect of instructional strategy (structured versus constructed) with learner's prior domain knowledge in concept acquisition. Previous instructional design research on concept learning has focused on…

The pedagogical strategies of human tutors in problem solving domains are described and the possibility of incorporating these techniques into computerized tutors is examined. GIL (Graphical Instruction in LISP), an intelligent tutoring system for LISP programming, is compared to human tutors teaching the same material in order to identify how the…

In presenting lessons in music theory by computer-assisted instruction, response-sensitive programing results in greater achievement than response-insensitive programing. (Author)

THE INITIAL PHASES OF A STUDY OF SELF-INSTRUCTIONAL AIDS FOR A TELEVISED PHYSICS COURSE WERE DESCRIBED. THE APPROACH, EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN, PROCEDURE, AND TECHNICAL ASPECTS OF THE STUDY PLAN WERE INCLUDED. THE MATERIALS WERE PREPARED TO SUPPLEMENT THE SECOND SEMESTER OF HIGH SCHOOL PHYSICS. THE MATERIAL COVERED STATIC AND CURRENT ELECTRICITY,…

The programing process is similar to methods employed in writing a composition. The author, in each case, must understand the subject, know the audience, outline material, and make revisions until the finished product works flawlessly. English instructors could teach programing and free math instructors to teach mathematics. (MBR)

Suggests programming structures of computer assisted instruction for teaching severely learning disabled students be related to an established educational model. Use of performance contoured programming (PCP), based upon behavioral model of precision teaching, is discussed and contrasted with cognitive programming approaches. PCP applications and…

This study utilized 120 metalworking students and six teachers from Columbus, Ohio area high schools to ascertain the effects of teaching numerical control to industrial arts students by means of simulator-aided activities versus nonsimulator aided activities. Scores obtained from an achievement test, attitude inventory, and word address…

Describes a study which compared the instructional effectiveness of a team-based, peer-review approach to teaching programing skills to secondary school students, with that of a traditional approach. The discussion covers students' attitudes and programing skills development resulting from the implementation of the experimental approach. (Nine…

VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE DEVELOPMENT AND USE OF SELF-INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS WERE REPORTED. MATERIALS WERE DEVELOPED TO COVER 6 WEEKS OF INSTRUCTION IN THE SECOND SEMESTER OF HIGH SCHOOL PHYSICS. APPROXIMATELY 3,000 INDIVIDUAL QUESTION-AND-ANSWER FRAMES WERE INCORPORATED INTO THE MATERIALS. TO DETERMINE THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE MATERIALS TO STUDENT…

Compares the expert, spiral, and reading approaches to instructional strategies for introductory computer programming courses. Based on ACT (Adaptive Control of Thought) theory and relevant research, the differences between declarative and procedural instruction are identified, and six tactics used to design courses and evaluate strategies are…

This paper discusses the results of research on learning LOGO programming language by two groups of fifth grade students who were taught using either a structured tutorial mode or an unstructured discovery method. Previous results showed mastery differences between the structured and unstructured teaching methods with the results favoring the…

The development of a powerful learning environment aiming at the acquisition and transfer of general thinking skills through learning to program in LOGO was studied. The following conditions were sought: (1) sufficient knowledge of the LOGO primitives and concepts; (2) mastery of the thinking skills within the programming context; and (3) explicit…