A Practical Introduction to Authoring for Computer-Assisted Instruction. Part 10: knowledge-based CAL

Within all modern societies human survival depends critically upon the generation, dissemination and assimilation of vast quantities of information. In situations where there is rapid technological change, conventional information and knowledge transfer mechanisms are often both inappropriate and inadequate. This paper examines the role of computers as knowledge/information transfer agents and how knowledge-based computer-assisted learning may provide an effective and efficient means of aiding learning and training processes.     

A Practical Introduction to Authoring for Computer Assisted Instruction. Part 3: MICROTEXT

MICROTEXT is a new CAI authoring facility that has recently been developed by the United Kingdom's National Physical Laboratory. This paper presents an overview of the language, describes the mechanism of lesson creation and then outlines some of the applications for which we have been using it.     

Strategic planning: Evolution of a model

In the 1990s many institutions are faced with pressures to serve the needs of society while facing declining financial resources. This increases the need for institutions to properly plan for the future. The literature shows that many institutions have not embraced the need for strategic planning. This article reviews the systems approach to strategic planning as a method to enhance the planning processes. Planning models in the literature were examined, and a new model specifically oriented to institutions of higher education is presented. The model uses the concepts of the systems approach, combines elements of models in the literature, and shows the relationships and responsibilities of elements of the institution.Thomas S. Barker holds a B.S.B.A. from Christopher Newport University, an M.B.A. from Old Dominion University, and a Ph.D. in Higher Education from the University of North Texas. He is a principal in an educational consulting firm and has written on international education and technology transfer. Special interests include international education, developing countries, and cross-cultural ethics. Howard W. Smith is currently Professor of Higher Education and Interim Dean of the College of Education at the University of North Texas. He holds a B.S. in Education from Southwest Missouri State College and M.Ed. and Ed.D. degrees from the University of Missouri-Columbia. His current interests are higher education administration, planning, accreditation, and teacher education.     

A contingency analysis of taste aversion conditioning

The acquisition of conditioned taste aversion was assessed relative to five control procedures. That is, forward conditioning using multiple-trial, brief-duration taste CSs and weak USs over a 30-min CS-US delay was compared to backward, CS alone, US alone, sham CS and sham US, and random control procedures. The outcome supported an associative conditioning interpretation of the learned aversion. While there were no differences between the various control procedures, all were different from the forward conditioning group. The argument was made that some of the distinctive associative and nonassociative phenomena attributed to taste aversion conditioning (but not seen in the present study) may in part be due to the duration and intensity of both the CS and US events.