A study investigated the effects of microcomputers on children's attention to reading tasks and the relationship between previous reading achievement and grade level on such attentional behavior. Fifty-five third and fifth graders read two stories each, one presented on a microcomputer and one presented in print. Television cartoons and rock music…

Describes a study of undergraduates that compared the effects of response-certitude adaptive and nonadaptive feedback in a computer-based lesson of verbal information and defined concept tasks. Effects on student performance, feedback-study time, and lesson efficiency are discussed, and implications for future research are suggested. (LRW)

Reports on a comparative assessment of a multimedia learning environment based on a guided discovery approach called CORE (Concept Object Refinement Expression) with two control conditions, lecture and electronic book, in an undergraduate radiography course. Discusses results of qualitative and quantitative measures of effectiveness, pretests and…

Theories of situated learning attempt to overcome the ill-structured nature of some domains of learning, and to use students' tendencies to construct knowledge representation on context and prior experience. Success comes when students apply abstract principles to real life. This study compares the effectiveness of two different lesson structures…

Although both learner control and feedback have been heavily researched, very little research has been conducted on giving learners control over the feedback which they receive. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of learner control of feedback in a computer assisted instruction (CAI) lesson. The independent variables were type of…

Intended to aid in the design of computer systems that promote efficient learning and performance, this study compared the effects of using hard copy and online format tutorials on the learning activities of 48 undergraduate students in either design or engineering. The tutorials, which provided instruction on the use of the equipment and basic…

Describes a study which examined how elementary school students learning Logo through structured and unstructured teaching methods compared in time on task, discipline, and organization factors, and whether techniques other than mastery measures can be used to differentiate Logo classes taught by structured and unstructured techniques. (MBR)

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to address the lack of quantitative data on eye-to-face gaze (also known as eye contact) in the literature on pragmatic communication. The study focused on adolescents and young adults with traumatic brain injury (TBI), as gaze often is included in social skills intervention in this population. Method: Gaze…

Analyzed and compared the success and information seeking behaviors of seventh grade science students and graduate students in using the Yahooligans! Web search engine. Discusses cognitive, affective, and physical behaviors during a fact-finding task, including searching, browsing, and time to complete the task; navigational styles; and focus on…

Describes a study of 80 undergraduate foreign language learners that compared the use of a hyper-reference source incorporating an electronic dictionary and a conventional paper dictionary. Measures of consultation frequency, study time, efficiency, and comprehension are examined; bilingual and monolingual dictionary use is compared; and further…

While there appears to be widespread agreement that schools need to use time more effectively to improve learning opportunities, education research is needed on the cost and results of using time differently. Presents a cost-simulation model to determine the relative costs of a year-round program. (MLF)

Discussion of various types of feedback used in computer-assisted instruction focuses on a study of low-ability eleventh graders that compared the effectiveness of answer until correct (AUC) feedback with knowledge of correct response (KCR) feedback. Achievement data on posttests as well as time data are analyzed. (11 references) (LRW)

This study examined the effectiveness of a computer algebra system in teaching secondary school mathematics. Pre- and posttest results and time on task were compared for students receiving conventional instruction and those receiving computer-assisted instruction using an enhanced version of muMath, a standard computer algebra package. (four…

Examines differences between maternal verbal teaching interactions that facilitate adult transfer of task responsibility as demonstrated by children's improved task performance after a teaching session among low- and high-risk mother-child dyads. (Author/BB)

Presents a meta analysis which examines results of 254 controlled evaluation studies that compared student learning in classes taught with and without computer-based instruction (CBI). Outcome measures are described, statistical analysis and effect size are discussed, and results are reported that show that CBI usually produces positive effects on…