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)

Outlines criteria for selecting microcomputer-based telecommunications software for educational settings. Terminal software, which provides interaction between a modem and remote terminals, is distinguished from software that allows an electronic bulletin board system to be developed, and three software packages of each type are reviewed. (LRW)

Relates experiences of an elementary school reading teacher and a group of fifth- and sixth-grade students in exploring the computer programing language Logo. Use of a tree-like figure as an illustration for the concept of recursion is described. Programing commands and graphic illustrations are included. (EJS)

Criteria for software resource centers drafted by the International Council for Computers in Education focus on the responsibilities of: (1) centers, which should serve as links between publishers and educators; (2) software publishers, who should assist educators in previewing instructional software before purchase; and (3) schools, which should…

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 two-part rating scale for use in systematically evaluating lessons. Both computer and noncomputer lesson components are examined in the context of the nine events of instruction of which well-designed lessons are composed, and the effectiveness of each instructional event is rated. The lesson evaluation form is included. (MBR)

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…

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…

This discussion of the design of data files for databases to be created by secondary school students uses AppleWorks software as an example. Steps needed to create and use a database are explained, the benefits of group activity are described, and other possible projects are listed. (LRW)

Discusses the need for adequate student user manuals for computer software and presents guidelines to help teachers develop these manuals. The sections that a student manual should contain are outlined, including objectives, pretests and posttests for self-evaluation, and worksheets; and examples are given for further clarification. (LRW)

Summarizes six research studies relating to computers in education. The research areas include the use of computer-generated graphs in critical evaluation and in learning distance and velocity concepts, sex differences in graphing skills, student evaluation of courseware, career paths of women with technological education, and characteristics of…

Discusses the use of computer assisted instruction to enhance learning basic skills within the traditional language arts curriculum. The Teaching for Transfer approach to software evaluation that is described is designed to provide teachers with information about how well a given piece of software can be integrated into the existing curriculum.…

Respondents to a survey of educational software producers to determine extent to which computer assisted instruction courseware is fieldtested, and what this process involves, indicate that 52% fieldtested all their software. The relevance of these results to school media specialists and their role in selecting and evaluating software is…

Describes a courseware development project at the University of Oregon which explored use of interactive video with mentally disabled students to teach life enhancement skills. Discussion of the results of a pilot study of one of the modules includes information on student achievement and teacher and student reactions. (MBR)