Discusses models of home educational computing that are linked to learning in school and recommends the need for research that addresses the home as a computer-based learning environment. Topics include a history of research on educational computing at home; technological infrastructure, including software and compatibility; Internet access;…

Discussion of copyright issues involving computer software focuses on faculty examination of software for evaluation purposes. Two model examination copy licenses are proposed: one a circulating evaluation copy, for libraries and other centers where individual evaluators are not involved in copying; and one a distributable evaluation copy. (five…

Presents a model for electronic books based on the paper book metaphor. Discussion includes how the book evolves under the effects of its functional components; the use and impact of the model for organizing and presenting electronic documents in the context of electronic publishing; and the possible applications of a system based on the model.…

Proposes random-effects regression model for analysis of clustered data. Suggests model assumes some dependency of within-cluster data. Model adjusts effects for resulting dependency from data clustering. Describes maximum marginal likelihood solution. Discusses available statistical software. Demonstrates model via investigation involving…

The research reported in this article provides descriptions of design activities and of the evolving designs of expert procedural and expert object-oriented (OO) designers and for novice OO designers with extensive procedural experience. Analysis of procedural and OO designers, in terms of their cognitive activities, design strategies, and final…

Presents a formal object-oriented specification model (OSS) for computer software system development that is supported by a tool that automatically generates a prototype from an object-oriented analysis model (OSA) instance, lets the user examine the prototype, and permits the user to refine the OSA model instance to generate a requirements…

Reconsiders and affirms the general model of factors that influence the portability potential of educational software by summarizing the articles in this special issue. Factors that received the most attention include software design and development; overall instructional approach; teacher training; and cultural assumptions. Areas for further…

Describes developments in multilevel modeling of educational and other social data. Suggests that such a technique be used for school effectiveness studies, political opinion surveys, and area-based studies. Recommends that the inherent hierarchical structure of social science data be reflected in statistical models. Argues that multilevel…

Describes research that was conducted to investigate the needs and characteristics of noncomputer professionals who use word processing software on personal computers. A model of the intermittent user's performance is presented, and two experiments are described that examined differences in mode of interaction and the use of online help. (30…

Discusses methods that may be applied to the evaluation of hypermedia, based on six models described by Lawton. Techniques described include observation, self-report measures, interviews, automated measures, psychometric tests, checklists and criterion-based techniques, process models, Experimentally Measuring Usability (EMU), and a naturalistic…

Discusses multimedia authoring systems based on an analysis of multimedia computer-assisted instruction (CAI) courseware and its development. Topics include the function design of authoring systems; building a model of a multimedia CAI authoring system; and production techniques of the authoring system, including hypermedia. (LRW)

Explores economic aspects of digital journal production and delivery using Ithink Analyst, a modeling software package. Three models were developed and simulations were used to monitor the effect of variations in the values of key model elements. Discusses results that show staff costs and overhead are the most substantial costs for scholarly…

Describes a human anatomy course centered around a computer software program for undergraduate students with no previous anatomical training. (Author/CCM)

Explores economic aspects of a national electronic reserve service using Ithink Analyst, a modeling software package. Describes the model, which was based on developments within the United Kingdom higher education community; considers copyright clearance and digitization; and concludes that economically this service does not compare favorably with…

This study investigated prospective secondary science teachers' understandings of and intentions to teach about scientific modelling in the context of a model-based instructional module. Qualitative methods were used to explore the influence of instruction using dynamic computer modelling. Participants included 14 secondary science prospective…