Compares the effectiveness of textual feedback to video feedback during two computer-assisted biology lessons administered to secondary students. Lessons consisted of a brief text introduction followed by multiple-choice questions with text or video feedback. Findings indicated that video feedback resulted in superior learning and comprehension,…

Argues that the prevailing computer science orientation to data visualizations is severely limited for addressing usability concerns associated with supporting users in three critical problem areas: sophisticated visual literacy, complex data analysis, and new paradigms of visual inquiry. Argues that current object-oriented usability…

Discusses issues addressed at the Museums and the Web '99 conference (New Orleans, Louisiana, March 11-14, 1999). Highlights include how interaction with the virtual conditions views of the world; shared experiences of being online; virtual objects; new metaphors for seeking, finding and using information; evaluating creations; reconstructing; and…

"Microwave Workshop for Windows" consists of three programs that act as teaching aid and provide a circuit design utility within the field of microwave engineering. The first program is a computer representation of a graphical design tool; the second is an accurate visual and analytical representation of a microwave test bench; the third…

Reports the use of two different visual control treatments (self-controlled versus system-imposed) among students with different cognitive styles. Students in middle school were tested to determine how they learned from instructional materials generated using different design approaches. Results indicated that students with different cognitive…

In this group activity, children learn about the purpose of tagging and how scientists tag a shark. Using a cut-out of a shark, students identify, measure, record data, read coordinates, and tag a shark. Includes introductory information about the purpose of tagging and the procedure, a data sheet showing original tagging data from Tampa Bay, and…

Criticizes the use of a conceptual matrix in an undergraduate history of economic thought course. A conceptual matrix is a visual display advocated by John Bean and Dean Peterson that cross references normative and economic issues with their historical contexts. Argues that this promotes rote learning and stifles critical thinking. (MJP)

Hypertext can be a valuable instructional tool, but too often teachers assemble screen-projected hypermedia presentations overencumbered with their own navigational aids. This technique leaves students disoriented and disinterested. A hypertext prototype is proposed that maximizes the teacher's ability to control delivery while keeping students…

This is the second part of a two-part article. The first part looked at the learning-acquiring distinction put forward and subsequently developed by Krashen in the 1980s. The article examined the consequences of teaching at either end of the learning-acquiring continuum. Part two picks up the notion that spontaneous communication is not possible…

Anchored instruction calls for the establishment of a macrocontext to "anchor" instruction within a realistic situation. Evidence is provided that video anchors encourage students to adopt certain contrived goals over their more naturalistic goals. Suggests that goals that enable the problem solver to detect the "raison d'etre"…

Examines the vocabulary and communication constructs that are used by novices and domain experts to describe objects in an object identification task. Results suggest that indexing and retrieval systems should provide semantic level similarity mechanisms to allow for whole-object as well as part-wise visual analogy. The systems should also provide…

Investigates the information representation power of different modalities in the video data in order to collect empirical evidence for video surrogate creation and thus better support effective video browsing and information retrieval. Three types of video surrogates were created and compared under two user tasks--verbal comprehension and visual…

Focuses on the way multimedia developments are challenging established literacy practices and skills. Suggests that the traditional dominance of verbal representation is progressively giving way to new visual forms, and that the relationships between the verbal and the visual are being negotiated. Implications for English-as-a-Second-Language…

Maintains that visually enhanced musical performances provide an exciting and creative aspect of musical production. Explains that the conductor should choose a musical selection that offers concrete visual opportunities, focus on visual images, choose video excerpts, and use dance if possible. Finds that many visual techniques used by marching…

The purpose of this study was to examine how 3-dimensional (3-D) models of the Solar System supported student development of conceptual understandings of various astronomical phenomena that required a change in frame of reference. In the course described in this study, students worked in teams to design and construct 3-D virtual reality computer…