Describes a measurement system for recording the frequency response of acoustic systems. The computer interface detects the characteristic modes, their relative strengths, and resonant shapes over a broad range of frequencies. Includes experimental data for tubes and analyzes the data to determine the optimal functional form for the resonant…

Focuses on practices related to the use of a microcomputer-based laboratory (MBL) in a high school chemistry course in which students studied gases and kinetic theory. Reports that little or no higher order thinking was employed as students engaged in using the MBL and that some alternative conceptions were still evident. (Contains 42 references.)…

Discusses qualitatively enhanced access to data collections, requiring a more meaningful interface which endows the users with personal agents that are adaptable to the users' individual retrieval preferences. Users are given recommendations derived from best practice in information search processes to perform successful retrieval activities via…

Presents three motion experiments that use magnetic switches for marking position and time involving an inclined plane, an air track, and sprinting. (JRH)

Presents activities using thermocouples to investigate the temperatures at which candles burn and popcorn pops. (MKR)

Explores the principles and theories relevant to the design of effective hypermedia courseware. Proposes a hypermedia design: micro-(node) design, dealing with the creation of discrete information screens; and macro-(links), dealing with the connections between them. Presents a prototype courseware template and a courseware unit based on design…

Examines the relationship between computer-user interface (character-based or graphical) and the quality of documents written by college students. Finds that, after six weeks of business communication instruction, IBM users excelled on the criteria of mechanics and format, but that after five more weeks the two groups demonstrated no significant…

Describes a course for science education majors that explores the uses of computer-interfaced experiments in a variety of interesting activities. Several examples of biology experiments are given. (ZWH)

Discusses user interaction with museum application interfaces and emphasizes the importance of adaptable and adaptive interfaces to meet differing user needs. Considers levels of support that can be given to different users during navigation of museum hypermedia information, using examples from the Web site for the Marble Museum (Italy).…

Discusses Web-based learning, also referred to as distributed learning, and outlines eight areas that are part of a framework to use to design successful Web learning environments. Includes pedagogical issues, technological factors, interface design, evaluation, management, resource support, ethical issues, and institutional considerations. (LRW)

Argues that the current state of computer-based distance learning is problematic. Shows that (1) solving the problems requires changes at all levels of computer-mediated communication; (2) more research is needed in computer interface design; and (3) delivery systems need radical redesign. Concludes that medium-sized and small colleges may suffer…

Evaluted a peer-assessment process implemented over several years in a Human-Computer Interaction class. Questionnaires, open-ended questions, and interviews revealed that overall students approved of the process (which included peer assessment based on explicit criteria along with subjective ranking exercises not included in grading), its…

Describes the use of microcomputers in physics experiments to extend powers of observation, increase the accuracy of measurements taken, and obtain large amounts of high quality information, especially continuous and rapidly changing/moving data. Discusses software for interfacing a microcomputer with mechanics experiments. (JRH)

Discusses the potential for visualization of metadata and metadata-based surrogates, including a command interface for metadata viewing, site mapping and data aggregation tools, dynamic derivation of surrogates, and a reintroduction of transient hypergraphs from the tradition of cocitation networking. Addresses digital library research into…

Discussion of visual information retrieval systems focuses on an approach for testing novel interfaces that uses bottom-up, stepwise testing to allow evaluation of a visualization itself, rather than restricting evaluation to the system instantiating it. Presents a case study of undergraduates that compares a new visualization technique to more…