Reviews three books with the common theme that the way language operates in connection with juridical processes of various kinds gives ground for complaint. A subsidiary theme is that academic language studies might, in some cases, provide the appropriate theoretical underpinnings for the examination of the problems in question, and perhaps lead…

Describes three IBM compatible French language software packages: (1) "Ticket to Paris," a tourist searches for his cousin answering questions on culture, language, history, art, banking, and shopping; (2) "La Guillotine," a French version of the hangman game; and (3) "Bataille de Mots," tutors on 450 French nouns,…

Reviews DRILL 2.0, an Apple Macintosh courseware authoring system with several exercises that can be tailored for foreign language classes. Such aspects as student operation, instructor design, and disadvantages are considered. (CB).

Discusses the design principles behind the Unicorn Collection Management System, an integrated library system which includes modules for bibliographic and inventory control, circulation, academic reserves, serials control, authority control, acquisition, electronic mail, bulletin board, and enhanced public access. The flexibility of the system is…

NaturalReader (http://www.naturalreaders.com/) is a new generation text reader, which means that it reads any machine readable text using synthesized speech without having to copy and paste the selected text into the NaturalReader application window. It installs a toolbar directly into all of the Microsoft Office[TM] programs and uses a mini-board…

The focus of this paper is domestic propaganda. The author presents comprehensive reviews of four books: (1) "Bending Spines: The Propagandas of Nazi Germany and the German Democratic Republic" by Randall L. Bytwerk (East Lansing, MI: Michigan State University Press, 2004); (2) "Radio Goes to War: The Cultural Politics of Propaganda…

Describes the use of multimedia language labs for teaching foreign languages and English as a Second Language. Hardware is discussed, including videocassette recorders, camcorders, computers, CD-ROMs, and laser discs; software products are described; visual databases are explained; audiovisual components are examined; and sidebars list vendor…

Provides a list of evaluation services currently producing critical reviews of educational software. Includes information about The Apple K-12 Curriculum Software Reference, The Educational Software Preview, The Educational Software Selector, MicroSIFT, and Only The Best: The Discriminating Guide for Preschool-Grade 12. (TW)

Examines HotJava and Java, World Wide Web technology for use on the Internet. HotJava, an interactive, animated Web browser, based on the object-oriented Java programming language, is different from HTML-based browsers such as Netscape. Its client/server design does not understand Internet protocols but can dynamically find what it needs to know.…

This paper discusses minicomputer-based ILSs (integrated learning systems), i.e., computer-based systems of hardware and software. An example of a minicomputer-based system in a school district (a composite of several actual districts) considers hardware, staffing, scheduling, reactions, problems, and training for a subskill-oriented reading…

Comments on the discussion by Ginette Delandshere and Anthony Petrosky of the numerical rating of complex performances in the context of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Early Adolescence/English Language Arts assessment. Conceptualizes the discussion in terms of matching information to purpose in testing. (SLD)

Responds to Susan Brookhart's comments on the discussion of assessing complex performances by Delandshere and Petrosky. Notes that the article focused on the meaning and usefulness of scores or ratings in the context of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards assessments. (SLD)

Reviews Web sites for current events news that are appropriate for students of various ages. Discusses the possibilities for second language learning and curriculum connections and lists television sites, news magazines, classroom magazines, newspapers, and lesson plans. (LRW)

Discusses the top eight educational software titles of the year plus 35 additional programs. Topics include math/problem solving, language arts, science, social studies, classroom management/teacher tools, creative arts, and new versions of older software. (MVL)

Describes the development of ScriptWriter, a computer program designed at the University of Southern California to help create software for computer assisted instruction. Topics discussed include the graphics editor; text editor; font editor; a programming language called IQ; its use with interactive video and speech; and current applications.…