The column reviews trends and recent articles on computer assisted instruction (CAI) for students with learning disabilities and for students without handicaps. Topics addressed include CAI for incarcerated students, insurance, guidelines for software, and suggestions for purchasing software. (CL)

"Teacher Net" is described as a low cost computer network to provide computer assisted and managed instruction. The system consists of one microcomputer, an interface box, and as many as 16 keypads or keyboards for data input. The system can be used for independent student practice, assessment, group instruction, and data management.…

Options for special educators in creating computer assisted instruction for handicapped learners are examined, including machine code (such as BASIC), authoring languages, authoring systems, and commercially available shell programs. Examples of each are cited. (CL)

The article describes typical kinds of writing problems found in fourth grade learning disabled students and discusses ways in which the computer makes the child's planning and composing problems more accessible to teacher help. Similarly, pitfalls of such accessibility are also cited. (CL)

Two studies were conducted to design and field-test hypertext computer study guides with 40 ninth grade students (10 with learning disabilities, 15 remedial, and 15 regular education). Findings indicated the computer study guide treatment was as effective as the lecture method; posttest scores and retention test scores were higher for the computer…

This study with 28 Netherlands children (mean age 9 years, 7 months) with written language disorders found that copying words from the computer screen resulted in significantly fewer spelling errors on the posttest than writing words from memory and that both these forms of practice led to fewer spelling errors than only reading the words.…