This is the third in a series of articles discussing models that can be used to help students visualize the interaction of computer hardware and software. It focuses on a demonstration of how the computer works when the LOGO programing language has been added to memory. (LRW)

Discusses competencies necessary for educators using computers that were developed using a modified Delphi procedure in a project conducted by the Northwest Council for Computer Education (NCCE) and Oregon State University. Competencies are listed for teachers, computer teachers, and computer coordinators at the elementary, middle school, and high…

Describes a study that examined the effects of various computer reinforcement responses, including graphics and/or sound, on students' attentiveness to the program. Implications for educational software design are discussed. (CLB)

Describes a survey of members of the Educational Software Evaluation Consortium that resulted in a ranked list of 22 criteria used in preparing their annual software preview guide. Noting that content and pedagogical concerns received the highest rankings, the report offers five recommendations for future software development, evaluation, and…

Questionnaires were developed for students and teachers and used with National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Software Evaluation Checklist to compare student and teacher perceptions of computer assisted instruction software. Results indicate that formative evaluation should include feedback from both students and teachers to improve software…

Provides a comparison of four database management programs commonly used in schools: AppleWorks, the DOS 3.3 and ProDOS versions of PFS, and MECC's Data Handler. Topics discussed include information storage, spelling checkers, editing functions, search strategies, graphs, printout formats, library applications, and HyperCard. (LRW)

Reports results of survey of teacher training institutions in the United States and Canada to determine training that prospective English teachers receive in the educational uses of computers. Highlights include the use of computers in English methods courses, attitudes of faculty toward computers, and use of computers in schools where student…

Discussion of cooperative learning focuses on the benefits of using computers. Research that explored benefits of group versus individual computer use is reviewed, size of computer groups is discussed, differentiating tasks to accommodate individual differences is considered, and a cooperative computer project for a newswriting unit for fourth…

Describes four research projects that used technology to support reading and writing activities of students with learning disabilities: the first used computerized speech feedback to improve reading skills of elementary students; the second used projection plates in collaborative writing projects; the third used hypertext study guides with ninth…

Discussion of ways to effectively use computers in classrooms focuses on a national survey, the CompEd survey of the IEA (International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement), that examined computer use in grades 3-12. Highlights include teacher attitudes, teacher roles, and the need for improved software and more powerful…

Summarizes six research studies relating to computers in education. The research areas include the use of computer-generated graphs in critical evaluation and in learning distance and velocity concepts, sex differences in graphing skills, student evaluation of courseware, career paths of women with technological education, and characteristics of…

Describes the use of computers for evaluating the Alaska Writing Program (AWP), a computer-based writing curriculum that was developed in the Yukon Koyukuk School District. The Computerized Instrument for Writing Evaluation (CIWE) is explained, and CIWE field test results are presented. (six references) (LRW)

Respondents to a survey of educational software producers to determine extent to which computer assisted instruction courseware is fieldtested, and what this process involves, indicate that 52% fieldtested all their software. The relevance of these results to school media specialists and their role in selecting and evaluating software is…

Discussion of group dynamics and long range planning focuses on a technology audit conducted to help determine a long range plan for computer use in the Rangley, Colorado, public schools. Planning strategies are explained, survey questions are presented, and the actual audit process and trends that emerged from it are described. (LRW)

Describes a study of second graders that was conducted to investigate the use of microcomputer-based software to teach line graph production and interpretation. Abstract concepts between time and distance relationships are discussed, and transfer of skills to other types of graphs on paper are examined. (LRW)