Notes that the emergence of powerful microcomputers, along with accessible authoring systems, allow teachers the opportunity to extend their classroom game design efforts into digital media. Argues that these efforts, for effective and efficient design, should be informed by guidance from literature on instructional game design, educational…

Australian researchers examined a computer adventure game's potential to provide worthwhile learning experiences by videotaping elementary students at play. Results indicated students learned about computers, read, had fun, and solved problems, but the game did not meet specified criteria for a worthwhile educational experience. (SM)

Discussion of the impact of microcomputers on gaming focuses on converting a mainframe-based game to a microcomputer. Software, hardware, and documentation are considered, and a case study is presented that describes the conversion of a mainframe-based management game--the Credit Union Management Game--to a microcomputer. (11 references) (LRW)

The environment of commercial video game parlors and determinants of their use were studied through interviews with three parlor managers and informal observation. Environment varies considerably across parlors, and parlor traffic is found to be a function of temporal and ecological variables. (SLD)

Describes a study that was conducted to monitor the eye movement behaviors of microcomputer users working with an instructional game under varying color conditions. Eye movement is discussed; the computer software is explained; and implications of the results for further research and for courseware designers are suggested. (21 references) (LRW)

Illustrates some of the practical issues and problems connected with the design and use of computerized business games by describing three games which have been developed and operated by staff at Leeds Polytechnic Department of Business Management (United Kingdom). Sample input and output forms are included. (nine references) (LRW)

Describes student use of Hyperstudio computer software to create history adventure games. History came alive while students learned efficient writing skills; learned to understand and manipulate cause, effect choice and consequence; and learned to incorporate succinct locational, climatic, and historical detail. (ET)

Discusses uses of the microcomputer in elementary mathematics education. Included are: (1) drill; (2) practice; (3) problem solving; and (4) games. (YP)

Presents results of a survey of British secondary school students which was conducted to obtain information about microcomputer use both in school and at home. Highlights include gender differences, students' attitudes toward computers, experience with computers, assessment of programming ability, and characteristics of competent programmers. (LRW)

Three articles address different uses of computers in education. British inservice training for primary school teachers using microcomputer-based adventure software is described; fundings of two Canadian projects using computer teleconferencing are reviewed; and the use of computer-assisted instruction for primary school mathematics education is…

Considers the instructional potential of computer adventure games to develop text-processing skills. Design improvements to increase metacognitive skills are discussed, a prototype adventure game utilizing intact prose is described, and a study using the game with sixth-grade readers of varying ability is reported. (LRW)

Reports the development of a classification system for microcomputer-based software according to the depth and type of involvement of the user with the software. Three studies are discussed that used the facet approach, multivariate statistical procedures, and questionnaires to investigate types of involvement produced by computer programs. (18…

Presents ideas to help elementary teachers make the best use of their computer equipment. The article offers suggestions for getting started, scheduling, and selecting and introducing software. Information is included on programs that teach fractions, action art, animal attributes, writing, math, estimation, symmetry, and maps. A resource list is…

Reports on a program developed in Indiana public schools to hold software evaluation workshops that would compare teacher and student evaluations of the same software. The evaluation process is discussed; tutorials, drill and practice programs, simulations, and games are examined; and tests for correlation are described. (21 references) (LRW)

Discussion of the use of microcomputers by special education students highlights a study that compared the effects of a drill and practice program with an instructional computer game on the acquisition of multiplication skills among junior high and high school learning disabled students. (22 references) (LRW)