This report describes plans for the development of a major longitudinal research database designed to support the development and validation of new predictors of Army performance, and also new measures of Army performance against which the new predictors can be validated. The following aspects of the database are addressed: (1) the anticipated…

Ways in which the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) can be used to perform some Rasch analyses are described in detail. It is shown how SPSS and a set of item calibrations can be used to estimate person abilities, standard errors of measurement, test characteristic curve, test information curve, classification consistency on a…

Reviews a criterion-based evaluation of educational software at York University, Ontario, using the York Educational Software Evaluation Scales (YESES). Concern over the quality of available courseware is expressed, and the response of students and teachers is highlighted as the most important criterion for evaluation. (LRW)

Describes the European Strategic Programme of Research and Development in Information Technology (ESPRIT), and its five programs: advanced microelectronics, software technology, advanced information processing, office systems, and computer integrated manufacturing. The emphasis on logic programming and ESPRIT as the European response to the…

Examples of relatively novel computer software environments from the representation perspective are described. Even more novel approaches to curriculum reform to cultivate higher-order thinking skills are then discussed. (MNS)

Describes the style of design of computer simulations developed by Computer Assisted Teaching Unit at Queen Mary College with reference to user interface, input and initialization, input data vetting, effective display screen use, graphical results presentation, and need for hard copy. Procedures and problems relating to academic involvement are…

Comments on experience in developing a learner control system to enhance problem solving skills of higher education students applying mathematical methods in biological sciences; summarizes results of its validation and use; and outlines development of an educational advisor and supporting materials to provide support to students managing their…

Defines eight software production stages, and argues that the key to the production of a higher quantity of reasonable quality software lies in development of support technologies to assist teachers in software development. Three approaches--software toolboxes, computer assisted instruction (CAI) program shells, and software CAI analysts--are…

Factors which may impede or promote development of computer assisted instruction are identified through interviews with teachers to ascertain attitudes and learn how computer experience had been gained, visiting a school to track computer usage, and recording first experiences of computer software use in classrooms. Suggestions for initiation…

Describes how the Educational Software short course produced by the Open University Micros in Schools project trains inservice teachers to select suitable educational software for classroom use. Findings of a formative evaluation of an activity in the course in which teachers examined three commercially produced educational software packages are…

Reports on study of the adoption of particular innovation, a software cataloging system, in central Ohio elementary school of approximately 500 students and 22 teachers. Discussion covers rationale for developing innovation, relationship between attributes of innovation and its adoption, use of cataloging components, consequences, recommendations,…

Discusses current assumptions about what constitutes excellence in software for reading and writing instruction by describing commonly accepted guidelines and arguing that evaluation criteria focuses mainly on technical rather than on learning and educational issues. A priori questions emphasizing learning issues are proposed to strengthen…

Describes the development and pilot testing of an interactive software lesson series designed to increase reading and writing abilities of illiterate adults and adolescents. Results of pilot studies of the High Quality Educational Program indicate the microcomputer approach to instruction combined with appropriate software offers a promising tool…

Examines processes by which general but weak search methods are transformed into powerful, domain-specific search strategies by classifying types of heuristics learning that can occur and components that contribute to such learning. A learning system--SAGE.2--and its structure, behavior in different domains, and future directions are explored. (36…

Describes use of the software ADABAS (general purpose database management system) and NATURAL (interactive programing language) in development and implementation of an information retrieval system for the National Television and Radio Network of Israel. General design considerations, files contained in each archive, search strategies, and keywords…