Computer simulation with artificial intelligence and discovery learning was used by 31 industrial technology students. Compared to 27 controls, simulation enabled students to recognize applications of new technology and the knowledge and skills needed. No differences appeared in field dependence/independence, so recognition was not a function of…

Discusses intelligent software agents, or knowledge robots (knowbots), and the impact they have on the Internet. Topics addressed include ethical dilemmas; problems created by rapid growth on the Internet; new technologies that are amplifying growth; and a shift to a market economy and resulting costs. (LRW)

Describes how linguistic analysis can change the computer from a generator of data that can be used to develop a critical analysis to a tool that provides a means to explore the processes and inputs that generate different interpretations of literary works. Illustrates this concept by analyzing a Shakespearean sonnet. (CFR)

According to the author's book "Being Digital," our world is shifting from atoms to bits. Digitally rendered information, combined with personal computing power and networks, will make computers active participants in our everyday lives. "Teaching-disabled" classrooms will move from passivity to active participation and…

Discusses the concept and characteristics of artificial intelligence software for information retrieval, news filtering, clerical support, personal shopping, and investment counseling. Research projects on artificial intelligence at six academic institutions and examples of nine retrieval agent software packages are highlighted. Sidebars discuss…

Describes a model for negotiation based on an analysis of teaching-learning dialogues. Topics discussed include the concept of negotiation in research; the relevance of dialogue analysis and modeling for artificial intelligence research; multidisciplinary perspectives; negotiation processes; communicative acts in negotiations; and theoretical…

This paper describes a method of understanding student problem-solving behavior during computer-assisted instruction using trigonometry as the example domain. Instead of attempting to model the student's process for solving problems, techniques which infer the equivalence between two adjacent steps in the student's process are used to determine…

Discussed are the developments in neural networks technology that promise to make computers a great deal smarter. The brain is described, and its workings are compared to that of a computer. Computer programs that allow the construction of a simulated neural network are discussed and evaluated. (KR)

Examines the cognitive needs of novice writers and the role of word processors in the instruction of those writers. Reviews writing software in the categories of idea organizers, text analyzers, process prompters, communication packages, and artificially intelligent writing environments. Suggests future research areas. (SG)

Makes a current assessment of the philosophy of instructional technology using a 1970 "British Journal of Educational Technology" (BJET) article as the basis of comparison. Discusses the influence of distance education, public acceptance of media and technology, and training by artificial intelligence in business and industry.…

Artificial Intelligence for Technology, a distance learning course at the Open University, is based on a learning model that combines conceptualization, construction, and dialog. This allows a practical emphasis which has been difficult to implement in distance education. The course uses commercial software, real-world-based assignments, and a…

Argues that although Gardner's conception of human cognition, characterized by a set of multiple and distinct cognitive capabilities, is an advance over the narrow conception of IQ, it runs into fundamental difficulties of a methodological kind and is based on a discredited empiricist theory of knowledge which work with artificial neural networks…

Replies to "The Theory of Multiple Intelligences: A Case of Missing Cognitive Matter," also in this issue. Disagrees about the role theory of knowledge plays in the context of justification of multiple intelligences. Specifically, asserts that the article's criticisms based on philosophy of science claims and work with artificial neural…

Discusses the need for semantic research in digital libraries to help overcome interoperability problems. Highlights include federal initiatives; semantic analysis; knowledge representations; human-computer interactions and information visualization; and the University of Illinois DLI (Digital Libraries Initiative) project through partnership with…

The distribution of knowledge around the world varies significantly with developed countries possessing most of the world's current intellectual capital (IC) compared to developing countries. Most IC research has been conducted in a variety of international settings such as the UK, Scandinavia, Australia, Canada, Austria, Malaysia, the USA, and…