This digest presents a reprint of an article which addresses the issue of the rights of computer software owners to duplicate materials. A conservative approach to software copyright is taken which looks to how the law will likely be interpreted, rather than waiting for the definitive decision by a court. Three major issues involved with software…

Discussion of knowledge constructionism focuses on LEGO TC logo, a program that permits control of LEGO toys by means of a computer. A project for 9- and 10-year-old students that uses LEGO TC logo to develop concepts related to automatic control systems is explained. (three references) (LRW)

Building on the 1983 policy statement developed by the International Council for Computers in Education (ICCE), this statement recommends the adoption of a school district copyright policy, adoption of the suggested software use guidelines, and use of the copyright page of software documentation to ascertain user's rights, obligations, and licence…

Discusses the use of technology to support alternative assessment, including portfolios of student work. Multimedia computer software programs are reviewed; database programs, hypermedia programs, and video portfolios are discussed; technology storage is considered; and future possibilities are suggested, including hardware options. (Contains two…

Describes an opinion survey distributed to software publishers and software preview centers in which participants ranked suggested criteria for identifying or certifying preview centers, development of center policies and procedures, and the role of schools in the process. A revised survey is included to which readers are encouraged to respond.…

A software package, ThinkingLand, was developed to help students' understanding of the content and thinking processes involved when using multimedia. Topics include multimedia reports and knowledge building; journal writing; collaboration; procedural facilitations; and the design and instructional applications of ThinkingLand. (AEF)

Argues that young children learn LOGO programing language more effectively through guided discovery using games and techniques that encourage exploration of the software. Specific examples of games, drawings and accomplishments of Australian children are included. (EA)

Describes several situations in which elementary and secondary school students successfully use adult level software in learning situations. Suggestions on how to teach students to use adult level software are presented and the advantages of such use are discussed. (MBR)

Briefly describes a multimedia resource package entitled Microcomputers in Education, which is designed to facilitate and enhance the quality of inservice teacher training programs on computer literacy. Teachers' opinions of the package, elicited after its use at an inservice workshop, are summarized. (MBR)

Reports observations on present use of microcomputers in elementary education in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States and presents recommendations regarding hardware, software, use of microcomputers, and teacher training. (MBR)

Describes the use of hypertext to enhance the study process by linking related information together. Types of links used in hypertext documents are explained, exploratory hypertext systems are discussed, principles of effective studying are reviewed, and three specific hypertext systems are described as examples of how to enhance student learning.…

Describes an inservice elementary school teachers' training program that used the HyperCard-based "Laser Disc Made Easy" software for creating lessons. Grade-level team activities are described; the ease of use is discussed; and advantages of editing capabilities are considered. (LRW)

Discusses educational effects of the style, content, and quality inherent in several multimedia and desktop-publishing products available to science teachers, including books, interactive software, videos, and computer simulations. (JJK)

Briefly discusses several applications for databases in elementary and secondary English classrooms, including research projects, book reviews, electronic mail, and poetry, and presents evaluation criteria for teachers trying to decide which database is best for their classrooms. (MBR)

Reviews the best currently available spelling software, including drill and practice, tutorial, game, and proofreading/word processing programs, and discusses criteria for spelling software selection. (MBR)