A short-term plan for CAL

Abstract  The successful integration of computers into British schools provides one of the major educational challenges of the century. The plan for CAL outlined here is a 'survival scheme', concentrating on the progress needed if we are to remedy the current problems within the next 5 years. The objective is the introduction of 'fourth generation' hardware into an educational environment which has been fully prepared-with a redesigned curriculum, high quantity and quality of curriculum-related courseware, a well-trained and enthusiastic teaching profession and a clear theoretical understanding of the issues underlying effective use of CAL. The short-term strategy advocated involves; 'host-target' software development; development of a CAL authoring system; provision of quality software via support for a limited number of 'CAL demonstrator projects'; introduction of CAL systems for teacher training; and pure research aimed at better theoretical understanding of issues underlying CAL and the curriculum. Suggestions are made for implementation of many of the deails of the strategy.     

Problems of educational innovation: the primary teacher's response to using the microcomputer

Abstract An important source of data in ascertaining why teachers avoid using the computer are teachers themselves. Attribution Theory encourages the rationalization of individual actions which may then form a cumulative pattern across and within pre-specified groups (in this case, primary schools). Such attributions may be used in the design of in-service education about educational computing.     

From consumer awareness to econometric analysis: the use of CAL throughout economics education

Abstract  This paper examines the use of CAL as a progression throughout economics education beginning at an economic awareness level and ending with a brief look at the use of computers for econometric analysis. Key pieces of software are identified and the environment in which they can be used is examined. The techniques and approaches to the use of the computer at all levels are shown to have similarities. Throughout the paper computers are shown to enhance the study of economics which in turn leads to comments about the future of CAL in economics and the content of the 'core' in economics education.     

A CAL experiment in a developing country

Abstract Many experiments have been carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of CAL but almost exclusively in the developed world. The study described below was a controlled experiment designed to assess the effectiveness of two science simulation programs in the context of the developing country where computers were a rarity. Thirty-six students of high ability used the simulations under controlled conditions and were then tested on the same topics. Control groups were given homework assignments on the same topics. The results showed positive effect sizes of about 0.2 for both simulations. Positive effect sizes were also obtained in a retention test given 3 months later. The results did not achieve statistical significance but significant interactions were found. Interviews indicated that the students had found the experience enjoyable and felt it beneficial.     

Equality and CAL in Higher Education

Abstract Information technology is being heralded both as a liberating force and as the answer to the increasing demands of higher education. To date, however, there has not been an analysis of the equitable implications for higher education. Indeed, many institutions are unaware of the direct application of their own equal opportunity policies to the expanding role of IT in higher education. The authors suggest that by linking equal opportunity policies to the implementation of computer-assisted learning, higher education will be better placed to provide a higher quality of learning to a more diverse range of students.     

CAL in human anatomy

Abstract An evaluation of a first-year course in human anatomy was designed to measure the impact of introducing a generic, computer assisted learning (CAL) program for medical education. Results of the study suggested that use of the different media resources facilitated complementary aspects of learning. A positive influence on the process of learning resulted from working in groups with the CAL program before going into a dissection laboratory for the first time. Both staff and students were able to use their time more efficiently, and an improvement in the overall quality of learning was noted. This was partly attributed to high motivation and interest levels that resulted from the use of the CAL program, and partly to the holistic approach supported by the combination of resources.     

Forms and functions of feedback in CAI and CAL

Abstract The form and function of reinforcement is discussed with attention to the focus for feedback. The case studies of five junior schools provide data and field notes for a tentative analysis of the determinants of reinforcement including organizational factors and (especially) types of CAI or CAL applications.     

Organizing for Innovation: A comparative commentary on two Government Programmes

Abstract The two Government funded programmes in the field of computers in education, the National Development Programme in Computer Assisted Learning and the Microelectronics Education Programme, are examined comparatively, in relation to their organization, aims, operation and achievements. The lessons for future governmental activity in educational development are pointed out.     

CAL in-service and the visual arts

Abstract This paper reports on the design and development of a series of in-service courses on the application of CAL in the Art classroom. These courses culminated in a 1-week summer school which was designed to allow the teacher participants to evaluate the relevance and likely impact of the new technology in Art teaching. The course was almost entirely participant driven; a feature which was partly contrived to produce frank evaluation reports and partly necessitated by the fact that there were no teacher educators or CAL practitioners available who were working in the field of Art CAL. The participants were invited to select applications areas which interested them and then to assess the educational value of the packages in these areas. The paper includes a synopsis of the findings of the teachers involved.     

CAL innovation as viewed by purchasers of computer software in secondary schools

Abstract The use of computers in secondary schools has increased over recent years, but there is still a large number of teachers who do not make use of computers in their teaching. There are problems and challenges associated with the implementation of any innovation; the nature of computer technology and the way it has been introduced to schools have resulted in the creation of further, specific questions and difficulties.
This paper includes an examination of the issues relating to the introduction of computers through an investigation of teachers who have bought educational computer software and from a study of related literature. These issues have been examined within an attempt to discover patterns in relation to the use of educational software, and to derive strategies which may be used in encouraging wider use of computers in secondary education.     

Using databases in history teaching

Abstract In recent years, considerable interest has been shown in the classroom use of historical databases. Several database programs for microcomputers have become available, and as far as history teaching is concerned, they appear to have been mainly used for the analysis of mid-nineteenth century census schedules. At the same time, it is not clear that the curricular issues concerning the use of these programs has been fully explored. The purpose of this article is to raise these issues and to relate them to the use of several database programs currently used in classroom history teaching.     

Analyzing academic achievement of junior high school students by an improved rough set model

Rough set theory (RST) is an emerging technique used to deal with problems in data mining and knowledge acquisition. However, the RST approach has not been widely explored in the field of academic achievement. This investigation developed an improved RST (IMRST) model, which employs linear discriminant analysis to determine a reduct of RST, and analyzed the academic achievements of junior high school students in Taiwan. An interactive interface was created so that students could answer questions to predict their academic achievement and they could learn essential skills for improving their academic achievement. Empirical results showed that the IMRST model selects crucial information from data without predetermining factors and can provide accurate rates for inference rules. Hence, the developed IMRST model is a promising alternative for analyzing academic achievement data.     

Computer education in secondary schools: an electronic survey

Abstract This paper describes a survey of computer use in secondary education carried out through the Times Network for Schools using a form of electronic questionnaire. The survey was a small part of a much larger project, the 'Skills for the Future' project, which is investigating the links between information technology (IT) in education and in employment. Although the nature of the sample inevitably means that the results are biased towards schools whose involvement in IT is above average, the survey does pose some interesting questions — particularly when its findings are compared and contrasted with those of the DES survey of 500 secondary schools at the end of 1985. The results of the survey indicated that Computer Studies is still dominant within the secondary curriculum, although many schools see the use of IT across the curriculum as their main goal. This paper highlights some of the factors preventing the diffusion of IT into the areas of the secondary curriculum it has seldom reached.     

The effective teacher and computers

Abstract Effective teachers sensitively and flexibly control those conditions of learning that can be arranged, try to influence or at least take into account less manageable conditions, and recognize that their teaching effectiveness depends also on inquiry into their own patterns of thought and action. Computers do not 'think' this way. Nor do they respond sensitively to changing conditions and subtle student cues that signal a need to use a different teaching approach. Computers, therefore, cannot replace the teacher, but are a useful tool to help arrange the conditions of learning in certain teaching situations. These situations are discussed in the light of what we know about effective teaching.     

项目教学法在《网页设计》课程中的运用

在中职《网页设计》教学中运用项目教学法,将教学内容分解为若干可操作的项目,在项目的实施中以学生操作为主,培养学生综合职业能力,为学生就业做好充分准备。     

项目教学法在《网页设计》课程中的运用

在中职《网页设计》教学中运用项目教学法,将教学内容分解为若干可操作的项目,在项目的实施中以学生操作为主,培养学生综合职业能力,为学生就业做好充分准备。     

Exploring the educational potential of robotics in schools: A systematic review

This study reviews recently published scientific literature on the use of robotics in schools, in order to: (a) identify the potential contribution of the incorporation of robotics as educational tool in schools, (b) present a synthesis of the available empirical evidence on the educational effectiveness of robotics as an educational tool in schools, and (c) define future research perspectives concerning educational robotics. After systematically searching online bibliographic databases, ten relevant articles were located and included in the study. For each article, we analyze the purpose of the study, the content to be taught with the aid of robotics, the type of robot used, the research method used, and the sample characteristics (sample size, age range of students and/or level of education) and the results observed. The articles reviewed suggest that educational robotics usually acts as an element that enhances learning, however, this is not always the case, as there are studies that have reported situations in which there was no improvement in learning. The outcomes of the literature review are discussed in terms of their implications for future research, and can provide useful guidance for educators, practitioners and researchers in the area.     

Supporting teachers in guiding collaborating students: Effects of learning analytics in CSCL

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of teacher supporting tools that present summaries, visualizations, and analyses of student participation and discussion on the way teachers guide collaborating groups of students in a digital learning environment. An experimental set-up was used in which authentic student data was converted to simulation vignettes that participants could interact with, enabling them to act as the teacher. The vignettes contained groups that had a problem concerning participation or discussion. When presented with the supporting tools, teachers and student teachers were better able to spot the problems regarding participation, intervened more often in problematic groups as time progressed, and displayed more specific explanations of their actions.     

网络教学评估系统的研究与实现

网络教学是一个全新的事物,如何在网络教学模式下进行教学评估,更是一个全新的课题。该文从网络教学实践出发,提出了对网络教学评估系统的需求,在此基础上研究和设计了网络教学评估系统的模型,并重点介绍了相关实现技术。