2902641
Teaching problem-solving through a cooperative learning environment
The Biology Sleuth was developed to provide a testbed in which the distribution of critical resources could be varied and the consequent effects on group dynamics and individual learning could be studied. The primary teaching goal of The Biology Sleuth is to teach important problem-solving skills (specifically, diagnostic reasoning) to high school students. In order to meet this goal a cooperative learning [3] environment has been developed in which students work in groups, aided by each other, software, and the classroom teacher,
38655618
EP-X: A Knowledge-Based System to Aid in Searches of the Environmental Pollution Literature
18116859
In search of knowledge-based search tactics
Knowledge-based search tactics are discussed in terms of their role in the functioning of a semantically-based search system for bibliographic information retrieval. This prototype system, EP-X, actively assists users in defining or refining their topics of interest. It does so by applying search tactics to a knowledge-base describing topics in a particular domain and a database describing the contents of individual documents.
This paper reviews the empirical studies that lead to the two central concepts implemented in EP-X:Semantically-based search;Knowledge-based search tactics.
29630397
Coping with the Complexities of Multiple-Solution Problems: A Case Study
A model is proposed to account for the expertise of a skilled immunohematologist in solving multiple-solution problems. These problems, which he must deal with daily, are concerned with ensuring the safe transfusion of blood into patients. This model suggests that he copes with this difficult class of problems by: (1) Using patterns in the data to simplify the problem, hypothesizing the number of primitive solutions necessary to account for the test results and, when possibles, decomposing the problem into a set of less complex, single-solution problems. Such decompositions then enable more powerful reasoning processes; (2) making use of a mixture of data-driven and hypothesis-driven processes in order to reduce the chances that heuristic (and therefore error-prone) methods and cognitive biases will lead away from critical data; (3) Relying on a mixture of confirmatory and rule-out processes to provide converging evidence, thus reducing the changes of error; (4) uncovering his own errors through the use of “error models” that identify the conditions where one of his processes is likely to make an error (similar to the use of student models by expert tutors to diagnose mistakes made by students).
7962345
Online Library Catalog Systems: An Analysis of User Errors
Abstract A study of 30 first-time users of LCS, the online library catalog system at the Ohio State University, was conducted. Subjects were provided with the online and offline help available to users of this system and were asked to conduct four standard searches (author, title, subject, etc.). While conducting the online searches, the subjects were asked to “think aloud”. A detailed analysis of errors and associated verbal protocols provided insights into the design features and mental processes contributing to the commission of errors. Of particular significance are: (1) the profound influence that incorrect mental representations have on the viewing and interpretation of online and offline help and instructions; and (2) the snowballing effects of a misconception as a user tries to seek and interpret additional information in attempts to recover from an error.
14822422
Knowledge-based search tactics for an intelligent intermediary system
Research on the nature of knowledge-based systems for bibliographic information retrieval is summarized. Knowledge-based search tactics are then considered in terms of their role in the functioning of a semantically based search system for bibliographic information retrieval, EP-X. This system uses such tactics to actively assist users in defining or refining their topics of interest. It does so by applying these tactics to a knowledge base describing topics in a particular domain and to a database describing the contents of individual documents in terms of these topics. This paper, then, focuses on the two central concepts behind EP-X: semantically based search and knowledge-based search tactics.
58774786
Challenges in Indexing Electronic Text and Images
41698316
Cloud tracing in convection-diffusion systems
The paper describes a highly interactive method for computer visualization of simultaneous three-dimensional vector and scalar flow fields in convection-diffusion systems. This method allows a computational fluid dynamics user to visualize the basic physical process of dispersion and mixing rather than just the vector and scalar values computed by the simulation. It is based on transforming the vector field from a traditionally Eulerian reference frame into a Lagrangian reference frame. Fluid elements are traced through the vector field for the mean path as well as the statistical dispersion of the fluid elements about the mean position by using added scalar information about the root mean square value of the vector field and its Lagrangian time scale. In this way, clouds of fluid elements are traced not just mean paths. We have used this method to visualize the simulation of an industrial incinerator to help identify mechanisms for poor mixing.<<ETX>>
27065306
ELSA (abstract): an electronic library search assistant
interface for the Gratefid Med system. Because about 30% of all Grateful Med searches result in no hits, our contract from the National Library of Medicine was focused on query formulation and intermediate results. In the first phase of the project, we designed guidelines and prototype smens for the existing character-based system. Inthe second phase presented he~, we designed guidelines and prototypes for a GUI. The prototype anchors the user on a query form screen to avoid disorientation provides systematic and consistent feedback for seamh progress, and provides simple suggestions for the special cases of no hits and too many hits. The prototype was mocked up using HyperCard and illustrates what we believe is an impmved component for Grateful Med without assuming Internet access speeds or high-performance workstations. Suggestions for interfaces that am less-constrained by