Presents an approach to microcomputer courseware design that follows the engineering systems model and discusses areas of expertise needed by courseware designers, key courseware design questions, the accompanying teacher's guide and its components, and evaluation criteria teachers need to remember before purchasing instructional programs. (MBR)

Outlines problems faced by software publishers in providing instructionally valid computer assisted instruction. A research design undertaken by Edu-Ware Services, Inc., directed at measuring instructional validity and utility of software offered to institutions and consumers, is described noting tests, evaluation, data submission and reduction,…

Discusses the rationale, aims, and objectives of introductory computer courses and suggests an improved approach to designing such courses to prepare pupils for a computer-based society and to improve problem solving through structured programing. Criteria for evaluating and choosing an appropriate programing language are listed. (EAO)

This report provides a brief description of a 1986 conference on distance education together with four of the papers presented by the five keynote speakers; an outline of the fifth paper is included. It is noted that, in addition to these papers, the conference included 26 application sessions which allowed the 183 participants to select issues…

A job standard contains criteria for performing a task in actual work conditions. A training standard takes into consideration the training conditions (resources, equipment, instructor) and may be less rigorous. Trainers should understand the difference and know when to use each. (SK)

Discusses creativity and instructional system design (ISD) in light of situated cognition, constructivism, and anchored instruction. Topics include historical background; ISD resulting in boring instruction, ISD evaluation criteria, the creativity criterion, quality, conditions for producing creative instruction, the linearity of the design…

Reviews internal and external dimensions of library environment that must be taken into account by library managers when choosing an integrated library system. The selection, acquisition, and implementation stages of Maggie III--a computerized library system sensitive to the internal and external organizational environment--are described. (MBR)

This article addresses the perennial issue of the criteria by which qualitative research should be evaluated. At the present time, there is a sharp conflict between demands for explicit criteria, for example in order to serve systematic reviewing and evidence-based practice, and arguments on the part of some qualitative researchers that such…

Reexamines the article by Atkinson, Furlong, and Wampold (1982) and questions their conclusion that reviewers were biased toward statistically significant results. A statistical power analysis shows the power of their bogus study was low. Low power in a study reporting nonsignificant findings is a valid reason for recommending not to publish.…

The various criteria upon which interactive video courseware can be judged are outlined. The criteria relate to the critical areas of program usage, content, interactivity, production, presentation, design, and programming. The mnemonic HICUPPP is introduced to describe seven key areas that categorize criteria which can be used to evaluate…

In order to help users make informed decisions when buying communications software, this article suggests that buyers consider communications software compatibility; software protocols for data transmission; software products offering compatibility with Telenet, Prestel, and Ethernet/XTEN; specific intended applications; and specialized features…

Discusses three criteria by which to measure the importance of adult education research questions. These criteria are practical application, contribution to understanding, and universality. The author argues that the criteria must not be identified with a particular kind of research or "importance" comparisons between quantitative and…

Examines forces that shape the design of assessment systems for teachers and some inherent contradictions with regard to curriculum and assessment. Proposes a system of assessment that is continuous, dynamic, and principled and does not remove from teachers the responsibility of defining what is important to student learning. (SD)

Describes generic types of databases--file management systems, relational database management systems, and network/hierarchical database management systems--with their respective strengths and weaknesses; discusses factors to be considered in determining whether a database is desirable; and provides evaluative criteria for use in choosing…

Examines the influence of statistical significance on reviewers' recommendations for the acceptance or rejection of a manuscript for publication. Discusses the concept of power and the importance of effect size in the evaluation of research findings. (WAS)