The units in the Scientific Reasoning Series are computer-based learning modules, highly interactive ``conversations'' with each user or group of users. Each unit takes one and a half to two hours, depending on the individual skills and interests of each learner.
Each computer dialog is divided into ten or fifteen minute segments. Users can move between segments through menus at the beginning. Each segment is self-contained, perhaps beginning with a review of earlier material. At times, the dialog suggests a return to earlier segments, based on performance in the current segment.
Although we have not made careful studies of the average time between user interaction, users estimate that about fifteen seconds elapses between completion of a typed response to a question and the presentation of the next question to the learner. The programs require users to play an active role in learning. They do not resemble lectures, books, or films.
The interactions found in the ten programs in the Scientific Reasoning Series are almost all in English. The questions for the students are in English. The user responds in everyday language, not in a restricted (computerese) fashion. The programs respond reasonably to a wide variety of ordinary words, phrases, and sentences. Because of this conversational nature we refer to the programs as dialogs. The interactions in the Scientific Reasoning Series are high-quality conversational interactions.
We almost never use multiple choice in material developed at the Educational Technology Center. We occasionally use the ``pointer'' input, where the user points to something. The computer dialogs use graphic capabilities, stressing visual as well as textual learning.