Designed to assist educational researchers in utilizing microcomputers, this paper presents information on four types of computer software: writing tools for educators, statistical software designed to perform analyses of small and moderately large data sets, project management tools, and general education/research oriented information services…

The effects of introducing a microcomputer into an elementary-school classroom were studied using a naturalistic paradigm. Initial questions investigated the impact of the microcomputer on children's behavior, interactions, and responses to available software; and on the teacher's role. Data were fathered through: weekly observation for 4 months;…

Designed for educational evaluators, this paper discusses reasons for the growing concern with linking or interfacing computers for information sharing; compares three major approaches to linking; and discusses the implications of each. An initial overview presents three linking applications in educational evaluation: (1) linking microcomputers…

The expert system computer simulation detailed in this report is designed to investigate patterns of valuing in decision-making about dossiers of performance data used in teacher promotion evaluations. The knowledge base for the simulation consists of 111 questions organized into 117 rules. The questions and linked advice were derived from…

This description of microcomputer use in schools within the East Texas School Study Council (ETSSC), a professional organization of 80 school districts, is based on 279 responses (66%) to a survey of 422 elementary and secondary school principals. Topics addressed include hardware and software available for educational use, microcomputing…

Spider World is an interactive program designed to help individuals with no previous computer experience to learn the fundamentals of programming. The program emphasizes cognitive tasks which are central to programming and provides significant problem-solving opportunities. In Spider World, the user commands a hypothetical robot (called the…

An evaluation was conducted of an Illinois Department of Curriculum and Instruction inservice course on microcomputer utilization. Designed to provide educators with preliminary knowledge and experience pertaining to educational uses of microcomputers, the course focused on hardware, software, philosophy, methodology, utilization modes and…

The use of Relational Database Management Systems (RDBMS), a type of microcomputer application software, to analyze open-ended survey questions is discussed. Using open-ended questions allows researchers to ask respondents to express themselves freely about their attitudes and beliefs. This approach also can elicit a precise answer even though the…

Describes the design of a microcomputer-based system at the University of Ottawa which provides teachers with the capabilities of computerized slides and transparencies. The slides are texts created with word processors which are presented to the class via a large screen video projector, and software provides regular overhead projector functions.…

Discusses the results of an ongoing research study to measure college students' microcomputer literacy before taking a microcomputer course. A brief review of the literature on computer literacy is provided, a comparative analysis of results is given, and a microcomputer literacy index is described that measures literacy and ranks students.…

Describes the TIS Intelligent Gateway, developed at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, which uses an extensible meta-machine approach to accommodate unlimited target resources, and provides a universal user interface to simplify communications between the user and target resources. (6 references) (Author/CLB)

Discussion of how to report writing skills highlights a computer program designed to provide feedback on the communicative effectiveness of students' written reports; presents an example of the typical feedback format which the program provides; and reviews students' reactions to computer assisted feedback. (MBR)

Provides a framework for understanding the concept of validity and how it applies to simulation research. Extant tests of validity are discussed in terms of this framework, and a general schema for testing validity is proposed. (MBR)

Categories of facilities utilization and scheduling requirements to be considered when using a heuristic approach to timetabling are described together with a nine-step algorithm and the computerized timetabling system, Timetable Schedules System (TTS); TTS utilizes heuristic approach. An example demonstrating use of TTS and a program flowchart…

Surveys current state-of-the-art in courseware development for microcomputers; discusses guidelines for overall program and screen display design; describes three major approaches to developing courseware--programing language, authoring system, or authoring language use; and reviews two current research areas--automated instructional development…