This paper describes the design of a synchronous World Wide Web-based distance education environment developed at the Telematics Laboratory of Computer Engineer and Informatics Department (CEID) and Computer Technology Institute (Greece); the environment uses telematics services to conduct lessons over computer networks, simulating a traditional…

This study examined the effectiveness of spaced practice and spaced review when implemented structurally within a computer assisted instruction (CAI) program. The study viewed the comparison of two levels of CAI as instructional treatments. The instructional treatments were developed as structured, which contained spaced practice and spaced…

This paper presents and discusses the results of a project in which seven teams of fifth and sixth grade students were involved in designing and implementing interactive multimedia resources in science for younger children, using the Microworlds(TM) Logo programming environment. It was found that students improved significantly in their science…

Recently, platform independent software components, like JavaBeans, have appeared that allow writing reusable components and composing them in a visual builder tool into new applications. This paper describes the use of such models to transform an existing course into a modular construction kit consisting of components of teaching text and program…

This paper describes technical and educational issues related to the development of SIMMPATICO, a multimedia tool for the teaching of Portuguese as a foreign language. The first section presents an overview of the motivation for the project. Package organization is discussed in the second section, including the linguistic approach and its…

This paper discusses the development of computer-based business simulations designed to prepare high school students for entry-level jobs in business, and explores the implementation of feedback mechanisms in simulations. Reasons why simulations are an appropriate type of media for this application, the nature of feedback, and research on feedback…

This paper discusses four areas in the psychology literature that have important implications for the instructional design of microcomputer-based simulations. The first one examined is cognitive structures, and the following suggestions for instructional design are offered: simulations should be appropriate for students' level of understanding;…

Screen design, as an inherent part of the interface within computer-based instructional programs, is a critical component to the communication potential of the medium. This paper establishes aesthetics as an essential and necessary component of screen design and of instructional design. Current screen design guidelines tend to overlook the…

Many writers suggest the use of metaphors in creating hypermedia and multimedia products. However, it is unclear how to choose an appropriate metaphor and how to avoid an inappropriate metaphor that will cause confusion and conceptual difficulties for users. A metaphor compares one thing to another without directly stating the comparison,…

This review of evaluations of interactive video completed from 1985 to 1989 includes only those evaluations that pertain to the instructional use of interactive video, are included in a database, and are in the public domain. Examination of 19 evaluations reveals that many of them were conducted over brief amounts of time, and that the programs…

This study explores a relatively new area of computer research, i.e., utilization of computer-generated feedback based upon the knowledge gained in both written and computer-based instruction. One hundred and twenty-six freshmen and sophomore college students from a variety of academic majors volunteered for this study. The instructional materials…

Concerned with the writing and designing of computer manuals that enable users to remember the information presented within them, this study addresses two key questions: (1) whether people remember material longer if they are tested on it immediately after they learn it; and (2) what material they remember (and forget) after a week or month…

This symposium includes the following papers: "Software for the Classroom: Issues in the Design of Effective Software Tools" (D. Midian Kurland); "Computers for Composing" (Janet H. Kane); "LOGO Programming and Problem Solving" (Roy D. Pea); "The Computer as Sandcastle" (Jeanne Bamberger); "Learning…

The seven sections in this volume analyze ways to strengthen the educational impact of microcomputers in the schools and to maximize their potential as important learning and instruction tools. The following papers are included: (1) "Human Cognition and the Use of New Technologies" (Richard Mayer); (2) "Don't Bother Me with…

Describes the design and development of inservice teacher education courses on application of computer assisted instruction (CAI) in art classrooms, and summarizes participating teachers' opinions on educational value of computer software and peripheral equipment for specific art applications to which they were introduced during the session. (MBR)