New uses for the on-line computer medium in mental health care

A number of research projects related to new uses for computers in mental health service delivery are presented. These projects include work on software psychology, new computer applications in mental health care, and studies relating to the successful implementation of technology in mental health settings. Emphasis is placed on developing a better understanding of appropriate uses of technology rather than merely describing new applications.     

Use of an algebraic language in laboratory control programming with small (4K) computers

Most lab-control programs for small (4K) computers must be written in assembly or machine language, making it necessary for the user to expend considerable time and effort both in learning assembly-programming skills and in writing programs. One of the most frequently used small laboratory computers (the PDP-8 series) can, however, be programmed to provide sophisticated control using an algebraic language (FOCAL) in as little as 4K memory locations. The FOCAL language includes a special program sequence, FNEW, which provides capacity for a single user-defined function written in machine language. This paper describes an implementation of the FNEW sequence that permits execution of multiple user-written machine language subprograms within a FOCAL program. Use of this capability in the context of process-control problems in the behavioral laboratory is discussed and illustrated.     

Innovation Implementation

Abstract— In changing work environments, innovation is imperative. Yet, many teams and organizations fail to realize the expected benefits of innovations that they adopt. A key reason is not innovation failure but implementation failure—the failure to gain targeted employees' skilled, consistent, and committed use of the innovation in question. We review research on the implementation process, outlining the reasons why implementation is so challenging for many teams and organizations. We then describe the organizational characteristics that together enhance the likelihood of successful implementation, including a strong, positive climate for implementation; management support for innovation implementation; financial resource availability; and a learning orientation.     

Perceived importance, enjoyment, and anxiety as correlates of computer attitudes

A sample of 138 students was assessed for their computer attitudes using a Likert-type questionnaire with three subscales: Computer Importance, Computer Enjoyment, and Computer Anxiety. An overall positive attitude towards computers was found. Multivariate analysis of variance revealed no significant differences in computer attitudes by gender although male students reported more positive attitudes towards computers than female students. Implications for educators include managing the perceptions of students that the computers are useful for learning purposes, in addition to using them for leisure and entertainment.     

Survey on present and potential instructional use of computers in psychology

A survey of academic psychologists was taken to determine present use of computers in instruction, willingness to use good education software, and kinds of potential uses of computers in psychology courses. A majority of the respondents reported using computers in instruction. Respondents indicated substantial willingness to adopt computer-based courseware. Respondents believed that a variety of uses, including classroom demonstrations and student experiments, would facilitate student learning. The results of the survey are compared with the instructional modules the task force is developing.     

Interactive Elicitation and Exchange of Knowledge

This paper gives a state-of-the-art report on the use of techniques based on personal construct psychology to automate interactive elicitation of cognitive structures for group learning and decision making. It outlines the structure and key components of the RepGrid implementation on a network of Macintosh computers, which includes tools for interactive reperto y grid elicitation and analysis, and a system for intemctizely exchanging and comparing reperto y grids from multiple simultaneous users on the network. The users of RepGrid are attempting to extend and understand their own thinking and problem-solving capabilities by interacting w'th other people. They are able to: see the relationship of thrir points of view to those of others explore differing termin, logy for the same constructs become aware of differing constructs having the same terminology extend their own construct systems with those of others provide others with constructs they have found valuable explore a problem-solving domain using the fill group resources     

Computers, education, and behavioral research: A significant interaction

This article reviews the use of computers in education and its relation to psychology. In addition to reviewing the role of behavioral research in the design and use of microcomputer based learning materials in the classroom, this review considers the insights which the use of such technology can offer into current perspectives on learning. The interaction between psychology and educational computing is one that will have benefits for both domains.     

Computers come to school,but psychology hasn't noticed

Children are beginning to learn about computers at school, but more fundamental changes in their education will occur as computers are used across the whole curriculum. Although some psychologists are playing pioneering roles, the discipline of psychology seems largely unaware of the deep changes just starting in education. Yet psychology has the methodology and subject matter knowledge to make a central contribution. In addition, computers in regular educational use have great promise as research facilities, possibly allowing at last good control to be combined with realism in educational research, and giving new hope for a theory of human learning. Psychologists must be more active in the development of educational computing, and in the public policy debate that will determine the future of our children's education.     

Incorporating Handheld Computers into a Public Science Center: A Design Research Study

ABSTRACT

The feasibility of using handheld computers to customize learning opportunities was explored using a design research process with 68 visitor groups to a small interactive science museum and aquarium. The authors discuss the iterations of the research process, reasons given for both using and not using the handheld computers, and findings related to participants' prior use of handheld computers and their perception of the effects of using the device on their visit. The authors discuss the findings in light of current research on visitor motivations and identities, as well as models of customization. Recommendations for practitioners interested in implementing similar programs, and suggestions for further research are included.     

Perceptions of Training-Related Factors and Personal Variables as Predictors of Transfer Implementation Intentions

A number of factors influence the outcomes of computer skills training and the likelihood of successful transfer. The first empirical test of a conceptual model of training transfer sought to explain how trainees' perceptions of various in-training transfer-enhancing activities such as overlearning, fidelity, stimulus variability, principles-meaningfulness, self-management activities, relapse prevention, and goal setting would predict the self-efficacy and implementation intentions (rather than actual transfer outcomes) of computer skills trainees. As expected, posttraining self-efficacy and transfer enhancing activities both predicted transfer implementation intentions. Pretraining self-efficacy also significantly predicted posttraining self-efficacy, trainees' level of learning during training and transfer enhancing activities, providing support for the conceptual model of training transfer.     

Developing a microcomputer laboratory at a small liberal arts college

This paper summarizes the development and initial implementation of a network of micro- computers for use by undergraduate psychology students at a small liberal arts college. We describe the hardware and the software, the general development plan, and some problems that should be considered by others who may plan to develop a similar laboratory.     

The impact of computers on cognitive psychology

Computer developments and their applications in cognitive psychology are reviewed. Examples from recent studies illustrate the ways that computers are used for different research purposes: stimulus generation, on-line interactive experimental control, response collection, data analysis, and theory building. A quantitative analysis of federal funding for computer-based and noncomputer research compares costs over the past 9 years for the areas of perception, memory, learning, and thinking. A tabulation of journal articles relevant to computer-based cognitive research shows the distribution of articles over various categories of hardware and software development. Finally, the advantages and disadvantages of using computers in cognitive research are evaluated.     

Urban School-Based Family Counseling: Role Definition,Practice Applications,and Training Implications

The authors describe an expanded role for counselors in urban school settings that can improve the linkages among families, schools, and communities: school-based family counseling. The focus of this process is to assist children in becoming more successful in the classroom by increasing family and community involvement in addressing specific barriers to learning. The function of school-based family counseling, strategies, and challenges for implementation of this process; a case study of a school-based family counseling intervention; and implications for counselor training are presented. Benefits of the school-based family counseling model for diverse students, parents, schools, and communities also are discussed.     

Personal computers and behavioral observation: An introduction

Some fundamental aspects of observational data are outlined, and some basic issues in implementation of small computers in observational research are discussed.     

It's all good: Children's personality attributions after repeated success and failure in peer and computer interactions

The present study examined children's use of behavioural outcome information to make personality attributions in social and non‐social contexts. One hundred and twenty‐eight 3‐ to 6‐year‐olds were told about a story actor who engaged in primarily successful or primarily unsuccessful interactions with several different people (social context) or several different computers (non‐social context). Subsequently, children made behavioural predictions and trait attributions about the actor. Findings indicated that participants were more likely to use past information to make behavioural predictions and trait attributions when hearing about primarily successful than primarily unsuccessful interactions, although there were age‐related differences in trait attribution as a function of success and trait type. There was no support for differential use of information across contexts, as participants' predictions and attributions were similar regardless of hearing about interactions with computers or humans. Factors involved in the development of impression formation are discussed.     

Supporting Implementation: The Role of Community Development Teams to Build Infrastructure

Evidence-based methods for assisting consumers, such as counties, in successfully implementing practices are lacking in the field of implementation science. To fill this gap, the Community Development Teams (CDT) approach was developed to assist counties in developing peer networks focused on problem-solving and resource sharing to enhance their possibility of successful implementation. The CDT is an interactive, solution-focused approach that shares many elements of the Interactive Systems Framework (ISF) for Dissemination and Implementation. An ongoing randomized implementation trial of Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care (MTFC) was designed to test the hypothesis that such interactive implementation methods are more successful at helping counties achieve successful and sustainable MTFC programs than standard individualized implementation methods. Using the Stages of Implementation Completion measure, developed for this study, the potential benefit of these interactive methods is examined at different stages of the implementation process ranging from initial engagement to program competency.     

Evaluation of Interactive Computerized Training to Teach Paraprofessionals to Implement Errorless Discrete Trial Instruction

Efficient and effective training strategies for paraprofessionals in special education settings face many challenges. Interactive computerized training (ICT)—a self-paced program that incorporates audio narration, video models, interactive activities, and competency checks—is one potential solution. ICT has been successful in training college students and special education teachers to implement discrete trial instruction (DTI), but its effectiveness to train paraprofessionals is unknown. Using a multiple-baseline design, we evaluated the feasibility of ICT, to train six paraprofessionals to implement DTI with an errorless learning procedure. Following ICT, the fidelity of implementation of DTI increased for all participants when implemented with a student in their classroom; however, competency varied. We added additional training components that progressed from low to more intensive feedback delivered remotely in attempt to increase fidelity to 90% or higher implementation. We also evaluated generalization to novel instructional programs and maintenance of instruction in the absence of feedback.     

Ceaselessly Exploring,Arriving Where We Started and Knowing It for the First Time

In this paper I explore the implications of the increasing social and sociable uses of new, mobile internet associated technologies (MIATs) for online learning. In particular I focus on tablet computers as at the vanguard of this shift. Drawing on discourses of technobiophilia and phatic communion, the propositions explored in this paper are that: (a) that internet associated technologies have been shaped by and reflect the ways in which humans engage with objects and each other in the physical world, (b) that of particular significance for MIATs are frequent small scale social interactions between users, and (c) that a more detailed consideration of these affordances would enhance online learning. I develop this account by considering the potential role of relationships for supporting the development of socially cohesive learning groups and the enhancement of online learning. In particular I focus on the need for partiality within a learning group and mechanisms for managing conflict. I conclude by offering two broad principles for a more sociable online learning experience.     

刺激-反应相容性的度量与运用

为了度量刺激－反应相容性的程度、预测汉字标准键盘编码输入法的易学性,根据Ｓ－Ｒ相容性中群体模板的定义,提出了相容性系数的概念及其计算方法,总结出运用相容性系数的值预测汉字标准键盘编码输入法易学性的方法。并通过实验室实验和实际测量对上述结果进行了验证