Speaking in Chinese is problematic for all learners, particularly for beginners and more so during online interaction. Despite the fact that interaction has been identified as crucial for the development of speaking skills, it can be hindered by students' lack of language competence or their anxiety. Teacher-centred practices in tutorials can…

This study analyses question-answer (QA) sequences in second language tutorial interaction. Using conversation analysis methodology as an analytical tool, the study demonstrates how the act of questioning is a dominant form of interaction in tutoring discourse. The doing of questioning is accomplished through a myriad of forms other than…

It is often assumed that engaging in a one-on-one dialogue with a tutor is more effective than listening to a lecture or reading a text. Although earlier experiments have not always supported this hypothesis, this may be due in part to allowing the tutors to cover different content than the noninteractive instruction. In 7 experiments, we tested…

Developments in three areas relating to interactive capabilities on the SCHOLAR computer-assisted instruction (CAI) system are reported. The first section discusses the implementation of two presentation strategies in SCHOLAR -- the Tutorial mode and the Block-Test mode -- and offers a comparative evaluation of these two modes using high school…

This practicum report describes a staff development program that was designed to implement a peer tutoring program in which nonhandicapped students instructed three trainable mentally handicapped peers in a regular high-school setting. The program was implemented to increase the achievement of handicapped students in basic academic skills that…

An analysis was made of the strategies by which tutors adapt their teaching to individual students; the objective was to synthesize these strategies in a computer system called SCHOLAR. Tape recordings of dialogues between tutors and students about South American geography were made to discover the strategies used by tutors. Since SCHOLAR is a…

The Commonwealth Computer-Assisted Instruction (CAI) Consortium continued to develop its algebra and general mathematics courses for ninth graders during the quarter ending August 31, 1969. The program's essential innovative features remained computer-controlled tutorial instruction supplemented by conventional individualized learning experiences.…