Discusses advantages and limitations of database software in meeting the educational objectives of history instruction; reviews five currently available computer programs (FACTFILE, QUEST, QUARRY BANK 1851, Census Analysis, and Beta Base); highlights major considerations that arise in designing such programs; and describes their classroom use.…

Some uses of a computer in a high school statistics class are presented. The increased student involvement in the lesson is seen as a result of the line demonstration of the mathematical concepts involved. A special application program written in BASIC is included. (MP)

Describes computer simulation programs that take elementary and secondary students exploring. One has students act as Magellan commanding his ship to reinforce history, geography, decision-making, and resource management skills. Another has students use problem-solving skills to venture across oceans and find trading routes to the Orient. (SM)

Explores families of parabolas that result from the graphs of quadratic functions. Computer software allows students to quickly depict a series of graphs and make conjectures about emerging patterns. Discusses cases in different parameters in the quadratic are varied to produce different effects in which the parabolas. (MDH)

Describes a computer curriculum for 7- to 12-year-old children which is designed to integrate the computer into multiple subject areas and stimulate the development and sharpening of critical-thinking skills. The course is divided into eight conceptual units, each containing educational computer games or simulations and some related off-line…

Much constructive computer and programable calculator activity can be stimulated by BASIC programs that are only three or four lines in length. This article illustrates several ideas with accompanying BASIC program, particularly related to the learning of algebraic concepts, that can be explored with both elementary and secondary mathematics…

Discusses the dynamics and outcomes of an unplanned classroom activity that developed from the integration of the use of spreadsheets with the study of the characteristics of previously collected seashells, specifically their color, size, shape, texture, and any other obvious differences. (JJK)

Presents several problems that use calculator or computer-generated graphs of the absolute value function as related to the maximum and minimum functions to illustrate the statistical concepts of range, median, mean, and variance. (MDH)

Computational environments that provide integrated numeric, symbolic, and graphical capabilities provide new opportunities for laboratories in Numerical Analysis. Hermite interpolation is one topic that can benefit from such an environment. Describes a laboratory session using Mathematica that allows students to actively experience Hermite…

An inquiry approach to history can be realized through the use of microcomputers. In a project at the University of California at Santa Barbara, teams of high school teachers and scholars have developed a series of computer programs whose contents are problems in U.S. history. A sample problem is described. (RM)

Discusses classroom organization and management techniques for using Logo in an elementary school classroom, including computer placement, daily scheduling, utilization of resource charts for questions on computer use, and student use of diskettes for keeping track of their computer accomplishments. A rationale for choosing Logo is also provided.…

Examines the problem of determining the minimum center of mass for a can with a varying height of liquid in it. Uses PC SOLVE computer software to graphically represent the problem situation. (MDH)

Discussion of Logo use to teach children computer programing covers the educational theory behind Logo, how it differs from other programing languages, its educational promise, its graphics capabilities, Logo research, and different versions available. It is argued that educational computing will succeed only if it provides new ways of teaching.…

Discusses the use of the computer software MINITAB in teaching statistics to explore concepts, simulate games of chance, transform the normal variable into a z-score, and stimulate small and large group discussions. (MDH)

Describes the Microworld Chance, a simulation-oriented computer environment that allows students to explore probability concepts in five subenvironments: coins, dice, spinners, thumbtacks, and marbles. Results of a teaching experiment to examine the effectiveness of the microworld in changing students' misconceptions about probability are…