Discussion of the use of computers in math instruction highlights two possibilities suggested in response to an earlier journal column: (1) a program written in BASIC for producing spirolaterals, and (2) the use of LOGO list processing to solve matrix problems for exploring geometric transformations. (LRW)

Reviews the historical evolution of computer-assisted instruction (CAI) and discusses recent advances in intelligent systems. Intelligent tutoring systems are described from the system designer's and learner's perspectives, and possible future applications are considered. A list of existing intelligent CAI systems is provided. (14 references) (CLB)

Discusses the effectiveness of using prompting in computer assisted instruction and time delay fading of such prompts to teach new skills to students who have difficulty learning by traditional methods. A CAI tutorial program which uses these techniques to teach time-telling skills is described. (MBR)

Summarizes educational research on four aspects of learner feedback--function, timing, schedule, and type--and discusses implications of the findings for software development. (MBR)

Suggests computer assisted instruction software that doesn't provide all necessary components of a lesson can be useful if the teacher identifies instructional functions (Gagne's Events of Instruction) provided by the program and supplies those that are missing. This framework is applied to analysis of a specific computer program. (MBR)

Describes a project in which middle school teachers turned over keyboarding instruction to a computer assisted instruction (CAI) program which enabled them to focus their efforts during the CAI on teaching higher-level thinking skills. The thinking skills developed include student analysis of learning, goal setting, self-motivation, and peer…

Describes a study that examined the effects of various computer reinforcement responses, including graphics and/or sound, on students' attentiveness to the program. Implications for educational software design are discussed. (CLB)

Describes a survey of members of the Educational Software Evaluation Consortium that resulted in a ranked list of 22 criteria used in preparing their annual software preview guide. Noting that content and pedagogical concerns received the highest rankings, the report offers five recommendations for future software development, evaluation, and…

Presents two lessons focusing on (1) spreadsheet design and (2) editing and printing spreadsheets. Materials provided include a list of functions for which students need to learn the commands, suggestions for presenting the lesson, three spreadsheet story problems, student exercises in editing, and two reference sheets for AppleWorks. (LRW)

Suggestions offered to improve the quality of instructional computing software created by computer programming instructors cover analysis of the problem, program design, the development of each module, writing and debugging the program, and final testing and development. (EJS)

Discusses benefits of keyboarding instruction for elementary school students, emphasizing the integration of keyboarding with language arts instruction. Traditional typing and computer-assisted instruction are discussed, six software packages for adapting keyboarding instruction to the classroom are reviewed, and suggestions for software selection…

Outlines competencies for computer education specialists, i.e., individuals working with teachers and students to teach the use of computers for instructional purposes rather than computer science. These competencies were developed from an informal survey of individuals currently working in such positions. (MBR)

Discusses the introduction of one microcomputer into a fourth grade classroom to assist learners in achieving the goals already established by the teacher. Programs used were SPEED DRILL, for drill and practice of basic arithmetic with varying difficulty and speed, and CRITICAL READING, a program for logical thinking and comprehension. (EAO)

Reviews a classroom experience which used the computer simulation "Decisions, Decisions: Immigration" in a secondary school social studies class. Highlights include descriptions of the decision making process, rank ordering of priorities, political and social issues relating to immigration, and benefits of teaching the simulation. (LRW)

Four recent sources of classroom activities written by and for Logo teachers for use with young children are listed, and seven brief lesson plans suitable for introducing first-grade pupils to Logo are provided. Several educational computer games are included. (EAO)