Describes eight characteristics of good educational software. They are: (1) educational soundness; (2) ease of use; (3) "bullet" proofing (preventing a program from coming to a premature halt); (4) clear instructions; (5) appropriate language; (6) appropriate frame size; (7) motivation; and (8) evaluation. (JN)

Encourages the use of the microcomputer to teach probability theory and concepts. Presents an instructional sequence and provides 10 activities, three of which have short programs listed. (JM)

Examines issues which emerged during the development of estimation materials produced by the Technology and Basic Skills-Mathematics (TABS) project. Special attention is given to the use of feedback in computer-based instruction on estimation. (JN)

A preservice teacher education course involving the applications for a computer within the mathematics classroom is described in terms of its evolution from a workshop to a regular curricular offering. Included are samples of computer experiments which suggest computer teaching activities for the prospective teacher lacking in field experience.…

Describes the "Computer Software Inquiry Inventory" (CSI), which was designed for content analysis of inquiry-based science computer software. Explains the five basic features of the instrument. Includes analyses of two programs using the CSI categories of evaluation. (ML)

Surveyed currently available software in the physical sciences, biological sciences, and earth/space sciences. Also examined interdisciplnary and remedial programs. One finding is that the emphasis in science education software is for high school and college students with little software for junior high school teachers or students. (JN)

Describes the use of the Apple Macintosh and MULTIPLAN spreadsheet to record and analyze test data. Provides step-by-step instructions on data entry, item difficulty and discrimination calculations, test reliability, score distribution, and graphing of distributions. (JM)

Describes a computer program, "Activation Energy," which is designed for use in physical chemistry classes and can be modified for kinetic experiments. Provides suggestions for instruction, sample program listings, and information on the availability of the program package. (ML)

Abstracts of seven selected papers from the 7th Annual Microcomputers in Education Conference are presented. Papers are included on microcomputer-based labs, teaching science with robots, microcomputer software, problem solving, computer integrated math activities, and computer assisted mathematics. (RH)

Discusses exemplary teacher and student characteristics that can provide the base to generate an Intelligent Computer Assisted Instruction (ICAI) shell. Outlines the expertise, learning, student-model, and inference modules of an ICAI shell. Describes the development of an ICAI shell for an undergraduate course in human physiology. (33 references)…

Presents a program written in USCD Pascal that simulates a system routine. Illustrates standard and user defined boolean and string functions and string procedures. Details the processing operations. (CW)

Surveys the present status of science instructional software in the United States. Describes project efforts at the University of Pittsburgh on the development of intelligent tutoring systems (ITS). Explains the major components and provides microworld examples of ITS. Includes the software evaluation instrument and summarizes the evaluation…

Describes the approach used in a doctoral seminar on designing instructional software for problem solving in mathematics. Explains how a five stage software development model was followed for producing materials. Includes student evaluations of the course. (ML)

Lists a BASIC program which computes the equilibrium constant as a function of temperature. Suggests use by undergraduates taking a one-year calculus-based physical chemistry course. Notes the program provides for up to four species, typically two reactants and two products. (MVL)

Describes a spreadsheet computer program which can be used with an Apple Macintosh computer to perform a multitude of calculations. Discusses two types of calculations taught in general chemistry. Demonstrates how to use the spreadsheet to calculate mass percent and the formula of a compound. (TW)