Computer-aided Learning Package Research Articles

Information Technology for postgraduate education: survey of facilities and skills in the South West Deanery.

To determine the Information Technology (IT) infrastructure available to, and IT skills of, obstetric specialist registrars across the South West Deanery. Open prospective study. NHS Hospitals in the South West Deanery. Two separate surveys. Firstly, the computer equipment available to trainees was determined at each hospital in the deanery on site using a software programme. Secondly, IT skills of a sample of 22 specialist registrars were assessed using a checklist at a series of four workshops. Computers with sufficient specification to use CD-ROMs, to access the Internet, and to support data-, audio- and video-conferencing. The number of trainees with IT skills to use a computer-aided learning package and the Internet. Sixty-six percent of trainees have access to a computer with a CD-ROM drive. Sixty-six percent also have access to the Internet at their place of work. Thirteen percent have access to data-conferencing but there were no computers in the Deanery able to support audio- or video-conferencing. Twenty-five percent of trainees have no IT skills and require basic training in the use of computers. Thirty-six percent of our sample would require training to be able to use computer-based tutorials programs. Seventy-seven percent of trainees require training to be able to use the Internet without assistance. A significant minority of trainees do not have access to computers with sufficient specification to run basic tutorial programmes or access the Internet. Similarly, a large minority of trainees do not even have a basic knowledge of computer technology and IT training is required for the majority of trainees for them to reap the potential benefits which computer-based tutorials systems and the Internet can give.

DNA to PCR: computer-aided learning software for DNA sequencing and amplification techniques of molecular biology

Computer-aided learning software designed to illustrate the structure and replication of DNA, and the principles and applications of DNA sequencing and PCR is described. Tailoring the software to individual needs enhances its effective use over a wide range of higher education levels by students with disparate backgrounds. The computer-based library provides ample support for study in an independent mode.

A computer-aided learning system for the design of foundations

A computer-aided learning package is described that can provide support to students who are carrying out a foundation design. It has been developed as part of the GeotechniCAL project, funded by the Teaching and Learning Technology Programme (TLTP). It represents one of five strands being developed which will form a suite of computer-aided learning (CAL) material covering the whole of the geotechnical engineering domain. The package (called ConFound) is a knowledge-based system (KBS) for preliminary (conceptual) design of foundations, and is designed specifically for use as a CAL tool. It can be used in a browsing mode in which the system simply presents options and offers general hints to aid decision making. Students will also have access to context-sensitive help on each option but no decision support is given in this mode. In a decision support mode, the system will also offer a critical assessment of the decision after it has been made, in addition to general hints prior to the decision. At any stage the student will have the option to go back and reconsider any decision. The KBS is being developed for use within the Microsoft Windows™ environment. The language for implementation of the KBS is C++. The context-sensitive help has been developed as Windows™ Help files. This hypertext material is also available to students as reference material that they can browse through independently of the KBS.

Development and evaluation of a computer-aided learning package for minor oral surgery teaching.

'Aspects of Minor Oral Surgery' is a highly interactive software program that was commissioned by the Department of Health, England, as part of the continuing education opportunities of general dental practitioners. The content of the program is also suited to the education of senior clinical dental students. The beta (pre-release) version was evaluated by 67 general dental practitioners, who completed a questionnaire on aspects of the program's functionality. Responses on its usefulness as an educational tool were 78% positive and 4% negative. In comparing the program to other educational media on the same subject, 77% felt it was better than video, 69% said it was better than textbooks, and 80% preferred it to journals. Its main strengths were judged to be the high level of interactivity, the ease of navigation and use, and the quiz section. The quality of the images of surgical procedures displayed in the slide shows was judged to be a weakness, and this problem was addressed in preparing the final version. Ten UK academic and four health service senior oral surgeons were also asked to give feedback on the program's content, and these points were also incorporated in the final text. More than 1,600 copies of the program have been taken up by general dental practitioners so far. The program may be downloaded for evaluation via the internet.

Strategies for the creation, design and implementation of effective interactive computer-aided learning software in numerate business subjects – the Byzantium experience

Description du projet Byzantium (projet TLTP- Teaching and Learning Technology Programme- numero 48) ayant pour but le developpement et l'implementation d'un logiciel d'aide a l'apprentissage de la comptabilite financiere et la comptabilite de gestion

Acid Base Disorders—Computer-Aided Learning Software on CD-ROM. James Hooper, ed. London: Association of Clinical Biochemists, 1996, $72. ISBN 1-899938-00-1.

Acid base disorders—computer-aided learning software on CD-ROM consists of two clinical cases illustrating the use of acid-base analysis in clinical decision making. In an active form of learning, the student must make choices to confirm diagnoses and make management decisions. Tutoring and “consultation” with an expert are available throughout the entire process. Incorrect diagnoses are critiqued, and the user is directed to the “library” for additional study. Multiple-choice questions are presented throughout each scenario, and a record of student performance is displayed. Each case consists of five parts: brief history, clinical assessment, chemical assessment, diagnosis and treatment, and resolution–summary. Following the case, the student is presented with several brief cases and questions. A set of essay questions are …

CAN SITE INVESTIGATION BE TAUGHT ?

Keywords SOUTH BANK UNIVERSITY, PORTSMOUTH UNIVERSITY SITE INVESTIGATION, EDUCATION, ENGINEERS, UNIVERSITIES, TEACHING, COURSES, METHODS, CURRICULA, ENGINEERING, COMPUTERS, AIDED, LEARNING, PACKAGES, COSTS, CLIENTS, GROUND, CONDITIONS, RISKS, GRADUATES, SOIL MECHANICS, GEOTECHNICS, SITES, INVESTIGATIONS, STUDENTS, UNDERGRADUATES, SOFTWARE, SIMULATION... Show All

A CAL package for teaching elementary quantum mechanics

The recent development of fast PCs with a large memory and their availability at a relatively modest cost has meant that the use of CAL (computer-aided learning), both for individuals and for institutions such as universities, has become a very realistic proposition. In this paper we demonstrate that, using new programming languages such as Visual BASIC or Multimedia Toolbook, it is possible to produce, in a relatively short space of time, packages that are clear and simple to use by students with little or no computing expertise. We describe here a short example of CAL for teaching elementary quantum mechanics which was written in Visual BASIC within the Windows environment.

A graphics based computer-aided learning package for integer programming: The branch and bound algorithm

In this paper, we discuss a graphics based computer-aided learning program INTEGER for understanding the Branch and Bound algorithm for solving integer programming problems. It presents the algorithm step by step, by developing the solution tree in an interactive mode. It relieves the user from the computational aspects and thereby provides a better insight into the solution methodology. Powerful screen management routines and appropriate data structures permit the users to scan any part of the solution tree at any stage of the analysis, and to view the linear programming formulation at any desired node of the solution tree. The interactive nature of INTEGER has made it more usable than other popular programs—it demonstrated a superiority over another program, LINDO. in enabling students to understand the methodology and made a great impact on classroom teaching for MBA and Executive Development Program participants in India and Singapore.

PAT: A protocol analysis tutor

A computer-aided learning package, PAT (protocol analysis tutor), developed as a tool to help students and novice data communications engineers learn the basic concepts of data link protocols, is described. The tool enables users to construct the frames of the HDLC (high-level data link control) standard data-link level protocol. The frames can be combined in sequence to form a call, representing the execution of the protocol. At all stages, checks of both the syntax and semantics of the call are made.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">&gt;</ETX>

The use of computer-aided learning packages in glaciology and glacial geology

An abstract is not available for this content. As you have access to this content, full HTML content is provided on this page. A PDF of this content is also available in through the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

The use of computer-aided learning packages in glaciology and glacial geology

The use of computer-aided learning packages in glaciology and glacial geology

A geometric hidden-line processing algorithm

This paper presents a new geometric hidden-line algorithm applicable to complex three-dimensional vector graphics scenes. The algorithm has advantages of generality, coding simplicity, and is particularly appropriate to parallel processing. The algorithm works accurately for any axonometric or oblique projection and can be adapted to work with the central projection. It applies to any nuimber of three-dimensional polyhedral objects which may have holes partially or fully through them, or other shape complexities. The algorithm does not require any particular ordering of polygon vertices and operates in both object and image space. An application of this algorithm to a computer aided learning package for engineering students is described.

Microcomputers and disabled people

Rapid growth in available technology has increased opportunities for its use both in specialized communication aids for handicapped individuals, and also in specialized computer aided learning packages. Each of these areas of development is wide, and needs comprehensive support services while, in general, the individual programs and aids each have only a limited potential number of consumers. Reasons why this is likely to be a persistent phenomenon are discussed, giving examples of current aids and computer-based teaching methods. It is argued that, to provide appropriate levels of research, development, supply and support, a different view of the development cycle and product market has to be adopted than for conventional consumer products, and a model is offered which illustrates the need for more local development initiative and centres with good inter-centre communication links.

Round Table Discussion on The Value of Computer Aided Design

Publisher Summary The use of computer aided design (CAD) in industry will almost certainly depend on the economic justification of the approach although there are reasons to believe that the opportunity it provides for the industrial designer to more easily attempt alternative approaches, in effect closing the so called gap between theory and practice, may also be an important factor. In education, incorporation of computer aided learning packages with CAD will allow students to proceed at their own pace, to revise material when necessary, and to solve a broader spectrum of problems. The first program packages were developed as an aid in the curriculum of control engineering. These program packages had only modest facilities by which a question/answer approach turned out to be a nice way to realize the conversational mode between program and designer. The choice of means to improve the system behavior is left to the designer. The computer can also be used to take care of some calculations.

Language standards for Computer-Aided Learning

Instructional applications of the computer have resulted in the development of many specialized high-level programming languages; each one aimed at providing effective access to the computer by student, teacher, course author, and/or researcher. At any given installation, the benefits to be gained from such a language are quite evident. However, the variety of languages which have evolved has resulted in great difficulty in exchanging Computer-Aided Learning (CAL) program materials among different institutions. Thus much effort is expended on development of software which exists elsewhere, but not in a form suitable for the particular computer installation at the institution wishing to make use of it. A common programming language for CAL applications would represent a major step towards permitting exchange of CAL software between different computer installations. To be effective, such a language must take into account the variety of approaches used in instructional applications of the computer. It must consider the requirements of users with a variety of skills. It must include provision for the utilization of a wide range of specialized input-output devices required to permit effective communication between the user and the computer. As with all standards, provision must be made for the CAL language standard to be updated in order to respond to changes in user requirements. The development and maintenance of standards for programming languages requires the co-operation of the user, the equipment supplier, and the researcher. As a first step towards arriving at definition of user requirements for a CAL programming language, the National Research Council of Canada's Associate Committee on Instructional Technology convened a working panel whose members have participated actively in a variety of CAL applications, with a variety of programming languages involved. The task assigned to the working panel was the definition of a functional specification of a programming language to meet user requirements. To arrive at a standard from the functional specification, requires the production of a detailed specification, followed by implementation at a number of centres. This implementation stage must be completed before one can say a standard truly exists, since a standard has very little meaning to the user if he cannot apply it.