Research and development work on the use of the SCHOLAR autotutorial, online system is described. Inference strategies used within the system are deductive, negative, and functional in character. A graphics package allows user to ask questions and give commands in English to control SCHOLAR's map display capability. The examples shown are for…

The use of graphics (maps, charts, diagrams, renderings, photographs) for regional policy formulation and decision making is discussed at length. The report identifies the capabilities of a number of tools for analysis/synthesis/communication, especially computer assisted graphics to assist in community self-education and the management of change.…

Describes design principles followed in developing an interactive microcomputer-based simulation to study financial and economic aspects of the Dutch social security system. The main goals are to improve participants' insights into the formal simulation model, and to improve policy development skills. Plans for future research are also discussed.…

Discussion of information retrieval in the humanities focuses on a study of 10 graduate students at Indiana University as they conducted literature searches using databases on CD-ROM. Highlights include a review of related literature, search strategies, relevance assessments, human-computer interaction, and databases and indexing. (LRW)

Describes a study that investigated the effects of using different forms of computer-based feedback on high school students' learning of science material. Hypotheses tested are discussed, five feedback conditions are described, posttests are explained, and results are discussed in terms of the information processing effects of different feedback…

A study investigated the introduction of an experimental school-centered and neighborhood-oriented communication system in a small midwestern town. It was anticipated that normal parent-teacher-school communication would be enhanced by the electronic messaging potential of the system. Researchers observed the entire adoption process from the…

This paper discusses psychological effects associated with the latest technology in computer interfaces. Emphasis is given to issues involved with multi-media systems and the development of the self on emotional, intellectual, and social levels. A review of technology attitudes and individual differences is presented in relation to the voluntary…

This study combines quantitative and ethnographic methods to analyze middle-school students' uses and understandings of microcomputers and videotex. As an experiment in teaching library research skills, 27 eighth graders were assigned to search an online encyclopedia in preparation for writing a science theme. The students' operational practices…

This paper describes a study that was undertaken at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to compare the databases selected by 75 inexperienced student online searchers aided by an existing gateway system--INFOMASTER, a version of EASYNET--with databases selected manually by four experienced searchers who were reference librarians from…

Science education can be enhanced by facilitating student interactive access to scientific data bases. The main objective of the Science and Technology Information Transfer for Education (STITE) project was to study man-machine mechanisms for improving the transfer of science information from its present repositories into science learning systems,…

A prototype system was developed to evaluate a computer-assisted performance training carrel which was used to present the troubleshooting fundamentals lesson of the Lowry Technical Training Center's Electronic Principles Course. This manual provides a description of the PDP-11 and PLATO programs used to implement this system, and an operators…

Describes a study that used a mental models perspective to examine the search behaviors of gifted elementary school children searching a full text electronic encyclopedia. The discussion covers analyses of search patterns used, differences between younger and older searchers, suggestions for systems design, and needed further research. (39…

Discussion of peer-based collaborative learning focuses on two related studies: a micro-structure comparative analysis of students' psycho-social behaviors in computer-based collaborative learning experiments conducted in face-to-face and distributed learning environments; and an examination of cognitive effects of peer-based collaborative…

Presents an exploratory study of a Web-based distance education course at an Australian university. Identifies factors associated with teaching effectiveness in online delivery: the technology used, including ease of access, navigation, interaction, and interface; instructor characteristics; and student characteristics, including previous use of…

This paper presents ongoing research at the University of Hertfordshire on the use of computer-adaptive tests (CATs) in Higher Education. A software prototype based on Item Response Theory has been developed and is described here. This application was designed to estimate the level of proficiency in English for those students whose first language…