Describes a study of students in grades two through eight that was conducted to determine the potential existence of a developmental sequence of specific association types among children and the implications for the design of interactive hypermedia materials. Highlights include schema theory; word associations; and semantic mapping and concept…

Considers how the effectiveness of computer-assisted language learning (CALL) has been hampered by language teachers who lack programing and software engineering expertise, and explores the limitations and potential contributions of author languages, programs, and environments in increasing the range of options for language teachers who are not…

Discussion of microcomputer-based social science laboratories highlights a program for data analysis that was developed by the Norwegian Social Science Data Services (NSD) primarily for use in high schools. Four teaching packages are described that include data material and workbooks, and future packages under development are described. (LRW)

Describes the evolution of courseware development and compares existing development methods, including traditional programing languages, authoring languages, and authoring systems. The use of a product which includes a customized courseware generator or authoring system is proposed, and an example is described that used HyperCard to teach the…

Examples of subroutines that generate both symbolic and graphic solutions to differential equations are presented for the two computer algebra systems, MAPLE and Mathematica. Included are the listings for the Mathematica procedures developed for use in this article. (JJK)

Suggestions for adapting automated training materials for foreign audiences include accurate translation; culturalization; simplicity; clarity; anticipated uses, display formats, text characteristics, and software compatibility; costs; and attention to the pitfalls of jargon, cliches, acronyms, numbers, money, sports metaphors, and humor. (SK)

Compared the grade level difficulty obtained from seven readability formulas to student reading levels from two national standardized tests to determine which formulas best determined the readability of computer-based text. Found that the Flesch-Kincaid, FOG, and ARI formulas provided the best estimate of reading grade level of computer-based text…

Describes Accelerated Reader (AR), a computer software program that promotes reading; discusses AR hardware requirements; explains how it is used for book selection and testing in schools; assesses the program's strengths and weaknesses; and describes how Grant and Madison Elementary Schools (Muscatine, Iowa) have used the program effectively.…

Investigated a secondary student's development of geometric thought during instruction using dynamic computer software. Clinical interviewing determined his predominant level of thought and highlighted the developmental process of geometric reasoning. Four learning stages were identified in terms of symbol, signal, and implicatory practices. Using…

Reviews a commercial software package that was originally developed for English but can be adapted for use in Japanese. The approach here is the adaptation of a generic program to a specific instructional context, with the attendant benefits and limitations. (Author/JL)

This article on childrens' interactive talking books examines: (1) how pairs of children interact when using the Broderbund multimedia CD-ROM storybook "Living Books"; (2) whether their patterns of interaction reflect the gender composition of the pair; and (3) if different types of pairs interact differently and remember the activity differently.…

Describes "Glass-box Interpreter" a low-level program visualization tool called Bradman designed to provide a conceptual model of C program execution for novice programmers and makes visible aspects of the programming process normally hidden from the user. Presents an experiment that tests the efficacy of Bradman, and provides…

This article describes how the East Tennessee Technology Access Center is coordinating the use of new computer math programs designed for elementary children with and without disabilities. The use of the computer software to develop math skills, improve literacy, and increase the independence of students with disabilities is discussed. (Contains…

Describes the use of concept mapping as a tool to gather data about student misconceptions. Student concept maps are used to inform the design/development of an innovative, simple-to-use, computer-based learning tool which may be incorporated into online courseware. The interactive grouping tool is designed to allow students to construct their own…

System dynamics has been shown to be an effective tool in managing the complexities of domains that involve complex structures. A framework is suggested for using system dynamic tools and technologies as the basis for constructing highly engaging learning environments. (Author/AEF)