A system for recording and reproducing computer operations running under MS-DOS on an NEC PC 9801 personal computer was developed. It consists of four modules : (1) a keyboard driver, (2) a utility for recording operations, (3) a utility for out-putting a history of operations, and (4) a utility to reproduce the operations. Briefly, the system works as follows : Recording : the keyboard driver sends data on keys used to the application software in the same was a does a routine BIOS ROM. At the same time, however, the keyboard driver also stores these data and information on the time frame into memory, as an operation history. Upon leaving the application software, the data are saved to an external storage device. Replay : The keyboard driver sends the historical key data to the application software just as if it were being input from the keyboard, thereby reproducing the entire operation. This system can be used as a means of analyzing the process of computer operations.

View full abstract

The authors estimated the costs of using computers, to include hardware, software and teacher training, in school education between 1987 and 1990. Analyzing the trends behind these costs, they found that hardware regularly accounts for 40 to 50% of the total amount. One reason for this is that costs of computer installation are increasing rapidly. The costs of teacher training are going down at the same time that costs for software are also increasing. In elementary and junior high schools teacher training expenses per school increased very little or even tended to go down over the period of this survery. The authors also used a logisitc regression model to calculate future costs as computers are diffused further. One conclusion was that under present conditions, teacher training will not keep pace with the diffusion of either hardware or software, meaning that it will be necessary to increase the effectiveness of teacher training. Furthermore, it is anticipated that a great deal of money for software is going to be required in the future. The most effective way of combating this problem may be to promote the availability of more economical software in the marketplace.

View full abstract

In this study the author attempted to clarify children's cognition of skyline shapes, a topic which has seldom been attempted in the past. The author tries to (1) contrive a methodology for describing children's cognitive skyline shapes, (2) categorize these shapes by means of cluster analysis, (3) based upon these categories, consider the treatment of the concept of the sky in school subjects, and (4) critically examine his methodology. His findings include : (1) the resulting shapes could be divided into seven categories, (2) only 5% of the children in the fifth grade had an awareness of the shape of the sky as a spherical surface, (3) it is necessary for children to learn a multiplicity of concepts related to the sky in each school subject, and (4) there are still a number of methodological problems which have to be solved, to include errors in measurement and so on.

View full abstract

The authors analyzed the relationship between learner traits and computerized tests scores, and then discussed strategies for putting these findings to practical use in computerized testing. They first conducted a type I quantification analysis using computerized test scores as the criterion variable sand learner traits as the explanatory variables. This analysis revealed that learners who preferred using computers to paper-and-pencil in testing, were faster at keyboard input, had an external locus of control, or took a moderate position on an extrovert-introvert dimension, displayed their abilities to the fullest during computerized testing. Next, the authors again used type I quantification analysis to predict whether each learner had made full use of his or her abilities during computerized testing. The traits of those learners who fell short of their expected scores were analyzed. The results showed that these learners tended to find it difficult to operate computers, especially at the letter-input level, were anxious about the achievement test itself, and exhibited some neurotic traits. The authors emphasized that, when computerized testing is to be conducted, it would be well to coach learners in how to use the keyboard and so on in order to permit them to become familiar with computer operations.

View full abstract

As telecomputing has come to be more and more widely used in general, experimental educational use has also become more popular. The authors mailed questionnaires to schools in Kagoshima Prefecture as a means of surveying the extent to which telecomputing is being used by teachers in schools and what both teachers and students think of telecomputing. The results were then subjected to type III quantification analysis. From the overall results of the study, it was found that few teachers or pupils have any knowledge of telecomputing, and that there are even fewer who actual use it with any degree of frequency. However, in general, both teachers and students are interested in and have a desire to work with telecomputing. Furthermore, a majority of teachers believe that telecomputing would be useful in education. In summary, on the whole, it may be assumed that most teachers and students are affirmative in their views of telecomputing and education.

View full abstract