The development of both the materials for an intermediate-level hybrid German writing course and the software in a virtual learning environment for the course may be viewed as activity systems. Viewing the individual components of each system as interrelated enables us to conceptualize the complexities of the development process, which goes well…

Outlines how the National Education Association's Educational Computer Service program for evaluation of educational software is run, and responds to critics of the program. (MD)

Courseware (computer based curriculum materials) development should follow the lessons learned by software engineers. The most important of 28 principles of software development presented here include a stress on human readability, the importance of early planning and analysis, the need for independent evaluation, and the need to be flexible.…

Presents highlights from a panel discussion by well known San Francisco Bay area documentation writers, instructional designers, and human performance technologists. Three issues on user performance and documentation are addressed: whether people avoid reading user manuals and why; major human factors influencing documentation use; and…

Makes suggestions and forecasts relating to the nature of the developing partnership between teachers, students, and microcomputers and to the development and use of educational software to truly optimize learning in United Kingdom schools. (MBR)

Foreign language teachers are encouraged to participate in developing computer courseware. Advantages include the potential for higher quality and more plentiful materials, increased confidence with computers, and the kind of discipline a computer affords in focusing on and organizing an exercise. (MSE)

Discusses a number of principles to bear in mind when designing and implementing multimedia language learning materials. A general overview is provided on the template approach to designing and creating a multimedia computer assisted language learning package. Examples are given from experience in multimedia development for language learning…

For social studies teachers who want to create their own software, authoring systems and authoring languages offer an interesting avenue to be explored. An authoring system available from Courseware, Inc., (California) and the authoring language PILOT available from Apple Computer (California) are described. (RM)

Educators must prepare social work students to use computers in practice, develop practice-relevant software, and protect and empower those who might be victimized by information technology. Issues and tasks associated with each of these areas are discussed. (Author/MSE)

This report provides the documentation for a proposed interactive videodisk to be produced for use in orienting freshman students to the Harvey A. Andruss Library of Bloomsburg University (Pennsylvania). A rationale for the project and a plan of action are followed by a production time line and tentative program outline. An outline of the library…

Ten working guidelines for use in developing educational software programs present standards evolved by one courseware producer for program content, learner motivation, the learning environment, educational objectives, field testing, learner control of the learning experience, monitoring and reviewing learner's activities, documentation, accuracy…

This paper examines the development of computer software in the United States and the processes used by school districts to evaluate software for purchase. Topics considered include major software development trends, development criteria, and production costs; software selection and evaluation, including selection processes, and evaluation and…

Traces the history of computer usage in the arts, examines how computers are being used in music today, and addresses the state of computer-based music instruction. Assesses available hardware and software, calling for more innovative and interactive products and a discontinuance of the drillmaster-learning machine approach to computer-based…

Provides a framework for understanding the concept of validity and how it applies to simulation research. Extant tests of validity are discussed in terms of this framework, and a general schema for testing validity is proposed. (MBR)

Summarizes the results of research on oral and written language processes and lists problems with computer software that does not reflect that research. (AEA)