In this paper, an instructor at Miami University Middletown (Ohio) describes how Authorware (by Macromedia) proved to be a valuable tool in developing interactive computer tutorials for physics instruction. Obstacles to improved instruction that had presented themselves were as follows: (1) some of the students' learning styles were not being…

This hands-on guide shows readers how to use HyperCard software to create instructional programs on the Macintosh computer. The book describes how to choose subject matter, design a program, and determine the method of presentation, including the type of interaction and guiding metaphors that will be used. It explains how to make programs easy for…

This book shows how and why the computer is so well suited to producing discovery learning environments. An examination of the literature outlines four basic modes of instruction: didactic, Socratic, inquiry, and discovery. Research from the fields of education, psychology, and physiology is presented to demonstrate the many strengths of…

This article presents a novel approach for explaining algorithms that aims to overcome various pedagogical limitations of the current visualization systems. The main idea is that at any given time, a learner is able to focus on a single problem. This problem can be explained, studied, understood, and tested, before the learner moves on to study…

EXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL) is a non-proprietary, computer language that has many uses. Known primarily as the Extensible Markup Language (XML) for business reporting, XBRL allows entities to report their business information (i.e., financial statements, announcements, etc.) on the Internet and communicate with other entities'…

This practicum was designed to train inexperienced teachers in the basics of computer technology, multimedia, authoring, and networking. The goals were to enable teachers with access to computers in the educational setting for the first time to utilize this technology as an instructional strategy and as a management tool. Six teachers were…

Examines whether an approach to teaching Logo programming that directly guides college students in use of cognitive monitoring skills and the transfer of those skills leads to increased cognitive monitoring and problem-solving skills. Demonstrates that guided instruction led to increased comprehension monitoring and contributed to the development…

Four experiments supported the hypothesis that, when learning to use equipment such as computers, if the material to be learned has an intrinsically high degree of interaction between elements, then learning might be facilitated by not having the equipment present. Thus, an analysis of intrinsic and extraneous cognitive load can lead to…

Recursion is a central concept in computer science, yet it is difficult for beginners to comprehend. Israeli high-school students learn recursion in the framework of a special modular program in computer science (Gal-Ezer & Harel, 1999). Some of them are introduced to the concept of recursion in two different paradigms: the procedural…

The pervasive popularity of the Internet in the past decade has changed the way many students live and learn, in part, because modern technology has made it possible for learners to access Real-Time Multimedia information on the Internet, or research any topic of interest to them from virtually any computer anywhere in the world. Students can also…

Digital Chisel is a user-friendly multimedia authoring tool for helping students and teachers to tutor/teach the computer. It can be used as a visual presentation tool, as a tool to provide individualized instruction and as a tool to help students learn using a variety of visual and auditory modes. Interactive presentations can be designed without…

Educational content on the Internet is rapidly increasing. Academics and businesses are placing more course material online to supplement classroom and business training situations. In addition, significant increases in undergraduate enrollments in information system courses, and the rapid pace of new knowledge in the field, have led researchers…

Describes how World Wide Web delivered visual explanations of programming constructs have been used to supplement conventional instructional methods and materials traditionally employed introductory programming courses. Explanations are constructed using inexpensive commercial software that supports the use of animation, graphics, color, and…

Looks ahead to some of the software capabilities soon to be available on the Web for helping learners notice linguistic form in text and Web-based audio materials. Points out that some of the general purpose authoring tools on the Web are ideally suited for developing English as a Second or Other Language learning materials. (Author/VWL)

Four-year curriculum-development project involving computing teachers from Scottish schools focused on methods of teaching and assessing computer-program skills at the secondary 3/4 level (14- to 16-year-olds) and the professional development of participants. Findings show that curriculum development can enhance teachers' professional development,…