A course-oriented intelligent tutoring system with probability assessment

Most Intelligent Tutoring Systems (ITSs) in the past have concentrated on small domains and have been topic-oriented. They have tended to be non-extendable prototypes and have neglected the expertise of human teachers. It is argued here that a promising approach at this time is to design course-oriented ITS shells which are based on the human teacher. Courses using such shells could be used to take some of the load of first-time delivery and assessment from teachers and lecturers, and leave them more time for individual tutoring. [Continues.

The Development of an Interactive Videodisc System

The thesis traces the development of interactive videodisc from origins based on early automatic machines through large-scale computer assisted learning (CAL) to microcomputer-based multi-media CAL. A comprehensive discussion of the interactive videodisc medium is provided, in terms of its features, advantages, problems, authoring and production processes, and educational applications. The requirements for interactive systems, and essential elements of video and videodisc technology are described. A relatively low-cost demonstration interactive videodisc system is developed in three phases, based on a BBC 'B' microcomputer and a Pioneer LD1100 videodisc player. In the first phase, software interfacing routines are developed in assembly language to control the player from the versatile interface adaptor (VIA) of the BBC micro. The signal control codes are based on a pulse code modulated format with uni-directional synchronous transmission. The interfacing routines are linked to, and driven by, a Basic program which provides full manual control of all player functions using the microcomputer keyboard. In the second phase, the interfacing routines are further extended to provide control linkage for interactive video application programs. Using a pilot videodisc, these Basic programs demonstrate interactive video techniques, including still frame access and the presentation of video sequences and sub-sequences. In the third phase, the application programs are converted to the authoring language, Microtext. The assembly language interfacing routines are developed into a corresponding Microtext extension command module. A mixer/genlock unit is used to provide graphics overlay of video still frames. An evaluation of the demonstration system is provided, in terms of developmental difficulties, its hardware and software features and capabilities, and its potential as a base for further suggested research work

Spacecraft software training needs assessment research, appendices

The appendices to the previously reported study are presented: statistical data from task rating worksheets; SSD references; survey forms; fourth generation language, a powerful, long-term solution to maintenance cost; task list; methodology; SwRI's instructional systems development model; relevant research; and references

Etymology-based instructional system: using hypermedia to teach the recognition of Chinese characters to beginning learners of Chinese as a second language

As a logographic script, written Chinese conveys meaning directly from its graphic forms. Numerous researchers have suggested the pedagogical strategy of teaching Chinese writing by emphasizing the pictorial features of Chinese characters. This study was conducted to develop and to evaluate an instructional system in which instructional materials are based upon Chinese etymology and presented by hypermedia system;Thirty characters were selected, and pertinent information such as original forms, evolution of shapes, meanings, pronunciations,and applications were included. Presentation of the material, stored on a videodisc, was controlled by a HyperCard program;Twenty-eight beginning learner of Chinese as a second language in Taiwan, Republic of China, participated in the study as subjects; seven Chinese-language/literature instructors volunteered to evaluate the system. The relations of subjects\u27 linguistic backgrounds and attitudes towards the system, as well as their interests in learning Chinese characters before and after using the system, were investigated;Two significant results were found. Native speakers of alphabetic languages showed significantly more positive attitudes towards computer use than did native speakers of syllabic languages. Subjects\u27 interest in learning Chinese characters after using the system was significantly greater than was their interest before. But relations between attitude towards the system and a number of linguistic variables, with the exception of the native-language variable, were not significant;Verbal comments from subjects and Chinese language/literature instructors indicated the program\u27s emphasis on pictorial features and etymological analyses of Chinese characters was quite valuable in instruction of the Chinese writing system

The interaction of learning styles with learner control treatments in an interactive videodisc lesson on astronomy

The purpose of this study was to examine the interaction of different learning styles with different instructional presentations involving learner control while using an interactive videodisc system. Specifically, the issue was to determine if field-independent and field-dependent learners would perform differently from each other under different instructional treatments where the amount of learner control was varied through the environment of interactive videodisc learning. Learning styles were measured by the Concealed Figures Test, which identified the learner as being either field dependent or field independent. The eighty-seven college students participating in the study were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups, Program Control, Student Control, or Experimental Control. The Program Control treatment provided the learner limited choices in the pace, path, and amount of instructional exposure. The Student Control treatment provided the learner maximum choices as to pace, path, and amount of instructional exposure. The Experimental Control treatment was a non- interactive videodisc program, consisting of a self-study guide

An examination of the potential of interactive video for supporting teaching and learning in design and technology

Design and technology in schools highlights the need for pupils to identify with the needs and opportunities in a (design) context and to consider the attributes of a well designed product which might meet those needs. It is generally apparent that whilst this element of design capability characterises the move from “making” to “designing and making” in schools it has not yet been fully developed. This paper describes the development of a prototype interactive video (IV) application which helps pupils to understand how design criteria may be specified by considering the design context. This IV application will be used to evaluate the feasibility of using flexible learning approaches to support students investigating design contexts and specifying design criteria. The IV disc makes use of conventional video material developed for use in National Curriculum Technology. The evaluation of this original material was reported at DATER 90

Quo vadimus? The 21st Century and multimedia

The concept is related of computer driven multimedia to the NASA Scientific and Technical Information Program (STIP). Multimedia is defined here as computer integration and output of text, animation, audio, video, and graphics. Multimedia is the stage of computer based information that allows access to experience. The concepts are also drawn in of hypermedia, intermedia, interactive multimedia, hypertext, imaging, cyberspace, and virtual reality. Examples of these technology developments are given for NASA, private industry, and academia. Examples of concurrent technology developments and implementations are given to show how these technologies, along with multimedia, have put us at the threshold of the 21st century. The STI Program sees multimedia as an opportunity for revolutionizing the way STI is managed

Development of a Hypermedia Database for the Elementary Classroom

A hypermedia database including selected flora and fauna in Kittitas County, Washington, was developed using HyperCard software for researching information about 400+ species. students had the opportunity to use the database in school libraries and in the author\u27s fifth-grade classroom. The database cards accessed videodisc images where available. On the basis of limited study to date, it appears that when studying the environment, student learning was enhanced by the use of database material created by the author