Arguing that understanding what lies behind the apparent usability of direct manipulation style interfaces might not only help in building better interfaces, but can also draw attention to possible side effects, this paper uses examples from a prototype data manipulation system to pursue a characterization of direct manipulation interfaces as…

This study explores the relationship between art object preferences and aesthetic attitudes of high school students. A corollary variable was socioeconomic status as determined by the National Opinion Research Center scale. A sample of 443 students, grades 8-12, in a Virginia high school, were studied. The 5-point Aesthetic Attitude Scale was used…

The Golden Section as a concept and a term has had a long history in the arts as well as the sciences. It is one of those concepts that has undergone much recent research, which is presented as part of this review. The research is considered in relation to the design fields and to the creation of visual forms rather than aesthetic preference…

This study reports descriptive and correlational data relative to the aesthetic preferences for the human figure on the Salkind Art Preference Test (SAPT). The study is an example of the descriptive aesthetic method in which methods, descriptive statistics, and factor analysis are employed to explore the relationships among specific works of art…

Examines whether young children, aged four to nine years old, are satisfied with their own method of drawing a familiar object, or whether they would ideally like to draw in a more advanced way but are hampered by production differences from achieving this aim. (HOD)

Describes an Educational Products Information Exchange (EPIE) study which evaluated 163 elementary and secondary education microcomputer courseware programs for intent, content, methods and approach, and evaluation, to discover whether trends existed across areas and courseware types, and to determine strengths and weaknesses of available…

This paper reviews briefly the essential characteristics of both invitational education and computer assisted instruction (CAI) and the ways in which coordination of these two models can produce stimulating and valuable educational experiences for students. A matrix illustrates the characteristics of CAI which can support the major values of…

Describes study that examined text density levels as a design variable in print and computer-based instructional presentations. The six treatment groups are explained, including low density, high density, and learner controlled density; attitude surveys and achievement posttests are described; and implications of the findings for instructional…

Several text format variables were examined in an attempt to identify the ways in which these variables interact in specific design combinations. The variables include: heading location (embedded or isolated); line length (short or long); space between lines (single or double); paragraph indication (indented or spaced); use of running heads…

Considers demands on the reader of printed material displayed on the video screen. Ways that electronic media can engender and foster reading skills are discussed, including use of graphics in video displays and ways educationalists may contribute to development of videotext and software to teach reading. (40 references) (MBR)

Library patrons evaluated two versions of a bibliographic record displayed on cathode ray tube terminal, one representing Library of Congress (LC) format, the other, one of 15 format variations. Patrons generally preferred side heading label and underlining to LC forms, and upper and lower case letters to lower case only. (EJS)

Reiterates the criticism that the Maitland Graves Design Judgment Test is inadequate in measuring aesthetic judgment as defined by Graves, especially in a cross-cultural setting. United States students consistently scored highest. Nonetheless, all students responded favorably to three factors: symmetry, three-dimensionality, and complex design.…