The instructional uses of databases are highlighted in this report and their advantages as teaching and learning tools are emphasized. Databases reviewed are for storing, retrieving, sorting, and printing information and for manipulating information. Questions explored include: (1) how are science databases used in the classroom (covering…

Describes efforts of members of the biology and physics departments of Paisley College (Scotland) to develop a simple light-emitter-detector arrangement adapted as a colorimeter interfaced with a microcomputer for use by undergraduate students. Discusses the setup and provides a computer program in BASIC to run it. (CW)

Discusses some of the variables teachers should consider when selecting scientific word processing software. Briefly describes some of the attributes of 17 software packages that were developed to accommodate scientific formulae and chemical structures. Provides the names and addresses of the respective software producers. (TW)

Discusses some of the variables teachers must consider when using computer software in the science classroom. Describes eight commercially available computer programs that are designed to teach problem solving in science. Includes the producer's address, the grade level for which the program was written, and a critique. (TW)