This guide contains a list of commercially available microcomputer software programs for instructional use in preschool through grade 12 that has been favorably reviewed by the Educational Software Evaluation Consortium, which represents 29 organizations involved in computer education throughout North America. Only commercially available software…

This guide lists favorably reviewed microcomputer software for K-12 student instruction. It is not intended for use as a buying guide, but as an aid to educators in locating commercially available software they may want to preview to determine its suitability for their instructional program and students. Each annual edition of this guide is an…

This article reviews current resources on computer-assisted instruction. Included are sources of software and hardware evaluations, advances in current technology, research, an information hotline, and inventories of available technological assistance. (DB)

Guidelines for understanding computer-assisted instruction (CAI) pedagogical designs and evaluating CAI software for its relevance to specific teaching and learning objectives are presented in this paper. Topics discussed include applications, drawbacks, and examples of the five types of CAI software--drill and practice, tutorial, simulation,…

Designed to assist the educator in making informed decisions about the quality and selection of instructional microcomputer software, this annotated bibliography examines literature dealing with the need for software evaluation, evaluation criteria, and the effectiveness of computer-assisted instruction. Introductory materials provide a brief…

This handbook is intended to guide the vocational educator through the task of selecting and evaluating software for the vocational curriculum. Section 1 focuses on computer-based education. Chapter 1 defines computer-based education and the hardware and software required when the computer is used as an educational delivery system. Chapter 2…

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)

Reviews the concepts and techniques used in developing textual materials that teach, focusing on those that have evolved during the trend toward programmed instruction. The possible application of cognitive psychology concepts to instructional material design is discussed. (21 references) (CLB)

Some of the advantages of using computer simulations in social studies are examined, and criteria to help social studies teachers select worthwhile social studies simulations are discussed. (RM)

Points out that although there are thousands of software programs available to support educational applications, there is a paucity of suitable courseware. An in-place system for proper evaluation of courseware that, to date, has "approved" more than 200 computer-assisted instructional programs is described. (JN)

General guidelines for a process evaluation of software for a specific subject and grade include: (1) Specify instructional objectives and list desired software program characteristics; (2) Access and review descriptions of programs (information sources for math programs are listed); (3) Preview software; and (4) Compare and make purchase…

The article discusses concerns of producers and users of computer software for those with special needs, reviews current research findings and projects, and reports on a survey of special educators (N=22) that identifies characteristics of desirable software. (Author/DB)

Guidelines developed by the National Council for the Social Studies to help teachers eveluate and select social studies microcomputer software are presented. The guidelines are organized around three areas: knowledge, skills, and values. Additional systems for evaluating technical and instructional computer courseware issues are cited. (RM)

This document presents guidelines for evaluating computerized instructional materials. Included are reference sources, suggestions for evaluation criteria, guidelines for both software and documentation evaluation, and forms that can be used in the evaluation process. Five separately labeled reference lists contain citations for approximately 100…

Steps to simplify and evaluate software selection are provided, with specific guidelines for selection criteria. Included are four sample evaluations of educational courseware. (MD)