Demonstrates methods of enhancing communication between computers and computer users in educational programs. Applies educational learning concepts to the design of software to improve user/machine interaction, especially for microcomputers. (Author/RW)

To explicate Marshall McLuhan's thinking, three concepts germane to his views on technology are introduced: technology as an extension of man; visual and acoustical space; and the laws of media. The goal is to engender a deeper appreciation of McLuhan to help educators and communication specialists understand how media (technology) can be used to…

This paper summarizes the general issues discussed at the September 1986 conference of the Apple Education Advisory Council and during the Advisory Council's deliberations about the future. The general issues are categorized within four topics--technical considerations, people considerations, human/technology interface considerations, and network…

Reduced or stabilized costs of education can only be attained by positive changes in productivity as defined by the ratio of outputs to inputs. Educational units or districts could do research on productivity improvement at low costs if they combined for such research and development (R and D) activities. The area of productivity research that…

This paper explains DASM, a package of programs and routines for Direct Access Storage Management on 70/564 disc packs. Its basic unit of data is a record. DASM processes (retrieves and maintains) records by techniques which require the user to reference a record by its name (both record and file name). The steps through which a user can create a…

Examines the behavior of young children using barcode readers on reading texts that have a subtext of barcodes that activate a text-related voice program. (CRH)

Discusses concepts of mediation and focuses on the importance of implementing comprehensive virtual learning environments. Topics include education and technology as they relate to cultural change, social institutions, the Internet and computer-mediated communication, software design and human-computer interaction, the use of MOOs, and language.…

Discusses the need to revise concepts of teaching and learning in relation to technology. Topics include distance learning; accountability in learning and the outcomes of the educational process; the relationship between humans and technology; globalization; measuring an organization's knowledge; assessment; regulating agencies; and the role of…

Case studies of professional software development practices describe how real (or realistic) projects are planned and executed. Cases provide engaging models of the activities and materials of software development to students and other novice practitioners. They vividly remind learners of the possibilities for meaningfully applying knowledge and…

Discusses SOUCIT, a suite of programs designed by the Computer Unit of Robert Gordon's Institute of Technology in association with the Scottish Education Department Qualified Indexing Project to create a database of references to educational technological literature and link them in a meaningful way through qualified citation. The structure of the…

GLURP (Generalized Language for Understanding and Responding to People) is a mid-point version of a script-writing computer language which had been intended by the developers of the Information System for Vocational Decisions (ISVD). Because ISVD aimed at allowing the student user to control the order and quantity of data flow (in an English…

The Lincoln Training System (LTS-3) is a computer-assisted instructional system for training Air Traffic Controllers and Basic Electronic students in the United States Air Force. This document describes the components of the system prior to its initial field trial in mid-April 1972 at Kessler Air Force Base. The system is made up of 14 Basic…

An Information System for Vocational Decisions (ISVD) is described and discussed. The system is intended to accommodate, in potential, the vocational needs of users extending from kindergarten to retirement. With ISVD, occupational facts/data can be converted into vocational information by means of personal inquiry which is at least initially…

The use of an authoring system is described that incorporates student interaction with the computer by natural language entry at the keyboard and the use of the microcomputer to direct a random-access laser video-disk player. (Author/MLW)

A report on the efforts made to describe the range of human-computer interaction skills necessary to complete a program of study in Instructional Design Technology. Educators responsible for instructional media production courses have not yet articulated which among the wide range of possible interactions students must master for instructional…