The review of four recent studies which examined the effects of instructional design variables in computer assisted instruction (drill and practice, tutorial, and simulation) for mildly handicapped secondary students found statistically significant differences for the experimental treatments in three of the studies indicating the importance of…

This article reviews the use of computer-based technology in teaching reading to students with disabilities. Research from the last 10 years is examined using the metaphors of Tutor, Tool, and Agent as categories of instructional purpose. Most of the substantive data supporting computer use concerns drill and practice and tutorial assisted…

This article reviews five modes of computer-assisted software so that teachers will be more aware of them and use computers more in their classrooms. The five modes are the following: (1) drill and practice; (2) tutorial; (3) simulation; (4) demonstration; and (5) instructional games. Teachers should review softwares and choose those that meet…

A review of 21 research studies on computer-assisted instruction (CAI) in mathematics with students having learning disabilities found that drill and practice formats have predominated over game, tutorial, or simulation formats. Overall, CAI was found to be an effective medium for mathematics instruction. Suggestions for further research and for…

Reviews the availability and use of educational software in elementary and secondary education. Topics discussed include the slow growth of software purchased by schools, programs that support the curriculum, word processing, tutorials, and trends toward networking and MS-DOS compatible software. (LRW)

This article discusses the lack of preparation teachers of students with visual impairments have in the Nemeth Code (the Braille code for mathematics). It then describes a Windows-based tutorial for sighted persons to learn the Nemeth Code, a tutorial for teachers with blindness, and how to access the tutorials. (Contains 10 references.) (CR)

Reviews some representative literature in man/machine tutorial systems. Student-to-student tutoring, tutoring by proctor, tutoring in programed instruction and with teaching machines, auto/audio/video tutoring, and tutoring with computers are discussed. (RAO)

Research on computers in schools is reviewed. The findings include the following: (1) 53 percent of schools have computers; (2) restructuring classroom schedules and revising inservice programs would expand computer use; (3) software packages should allow for individual differences; (4) publishers are coordinating software with curriculum; and (5)…

The current state of computer assisted instruction (CAI) in kindergarten through grade 12 is discussed. Four formats for CAI--drill, practice, tutorial, and simulation--are defined, and a set of criteria for distinguishing between effective and ineffective CAI are described. Comparisons are made between human and computer tutors. In response to…

The Foreign Language Understanding Engendered by Naturalistic Techniques (Fluent) project is an educational system for beginning foreign language learning. Arguments are made in support of Fluent's scientific and practical potential for a situation-based, two-medium conversational environment that refers to pedagogical and second-language…

Presents a comparison of two types of compact disc (CD-ROM) foreign language tutorials: (1) those made by publishers who favor an immersion approach; and (2) those made by publishers who use grammar-based approaches. Both types of CD-ROMs address various age groups, skill levels, and learning styles. (JMV)

This research-based review discusses effective computer applications for students with mental disabilities. Most computer-based instruction currently in use is of a drill-and-practice variety, which is needed to develop fluency in basic academic skills. Studies conducted on math fluency indicate that when students are using counting strategies to…