This digest considers the role of personal computers in the education of gifted students. There is evidence that students are working "smarter," whether they are learning and using more information, understanding key concepts and relationships better, or developing higher level thinking skills. Research findings concerning the specific…

The Appalachia Educational Laboratory (AEL) conducted an assessment of microcomputer-related needs for basic mathematics in the four-state areas of Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia in 1984-85. The primary input came from teachers from each of the states who participated in a needs conference in their home state. When each of the…

A needs assessment of microcomputer use in Illinois school districts was conducted as a basis for developing resources for identifying microcomputer applications for administrative, instructional, and student purposes. A 20-item questionnaire mailed to 200 Illinois school district superintendents and administrators addressed current and potential…

The role of social scientists and educators in the information revolution is to monitor the social, political, and economic consequences of increased use of technology and to research affective, cognitive, and social outcomes. Six issues provide a focus for addressing the impact of these changes. (1) An assessment of how the technological…

Describes the inadequacies of the current software for computer-based instruction, and presents a framework of instructional components to guide the design of such software. A taxonomy of design considerations is then discussed, including instructional context, strategies, and technical capabilities that can be used to enhance instruction. (4…

Because of the increasingly diversified population and needs of adult students at the Alberta Vocational Centre, a more flexible and responsible learning environment was needed. A brief effort using PLATO hardware and Basic Skills courseware for grades 3-8, and then for high school equivalency programs, was successful. However, it would have been…

Peripheral components for music instruction include a music keyboard, a digital music synthesizer, and music listening devices. Computers can teach sight-singing, playing an instrument, dictation, and composition. Computer programs should be interactive with students. (KC)

Computers and humans use similar methods to process information. Advantages of computer-assisted instruction (CAI) include individual instruction, immediate positive reinforcement, high motivation, consistency, and organized instruction. Disadvantages of CAI include inadequate instructional programs, time needed to develop software,…

Presented is an approach to using computers to meet the psychological, intellectual, and procedural needs of students with reading disabilities. A rationale is put forward for using "whole language" software packages to address these needs while facilitating reading and writing development; several software programs are described.…

Technical aids and information technology are the subjects of this document, one of 9 modules in an 11-unit resource pack designed to help trainers and postsecondary and continuing education staff meet the needs of special needs students in Great Britain. Having completed the module, staff should be able to: (1) identify technical aids; (2)…

Delineates the differences between simulators and training devices, and discusses the possibility of inadequate training when simulators are used as training devices. Guidelines for appropriate training device development using a behavioral learning approach are presented. (13 references) (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…

Computer-assisted instruction (CAI) has been applied to music education to teach theoretical aspects of music, aid in the study of musical instruments, and teach composition. The trend in CAI is for programed instruction to provide students with active, concrete experience. (KC)

A research project is described that attempted to define current material needs in foreign language in elementary schools programs and to determine whether current software already developed for computer-assisted language learning could augment classroom instruction. A list of software available for elementary schools is appended. (12 references)…

A review of the literature on computer-assisted instruction (CAI) in health sciences education suggests that problems in research methodology make the research results less than helpful. Improved methodology, better knowledge of computer and software capabilities, attention to instructional settings, and attention to costs would improve CAI…