New technologies have had a large and transformative impact on education. This study explored the benefits of a comprehensive, computer-adaptive reading program for the literacy skills of young learners. Second grade students enrolled in a public school district used a computer-assisted instruction (CAI) program and were evaluated at the beginning…

How students do homework has been under-researched relative to classroom learning because it is more difficult to collect data on students' homework behaviors. Presumably, such data would have implications for students' achievement. To understand how students do homework and how homework performance and behaviors relate to end-of-year standardized…

In the context of a large-scale randomized controlled trial, our team investigated "front line" teaching issues as schools implemented a fully digital, blended learning curriculum in mathematics. This paper focuses on observations of instruction within schools that were assigned to use the new digital resources. Compared to a…

Language competence in various communicative activities in L2 largely depends on the learners' size of vocabulary. The target vocabulary of adult L2 learners should be between 2,000 high frequency words (a critical threshold) and 10,000 word families (for comprehension of university texts). For a TOEIC test, the threshold is estimated to be…

Recent developments in software and hardware capabilities have made possible the combination of the Music Achievement Test (MAT) series and the PLATO music programs as a new delivery system. Initial reactions to the PLATO administration of digital to analog (D to A) testing in music have been positive; the immediate feedback available by computer,…

This paper considers some practical concepts and ideas related to standardized test score improvement in general and specifically to the World Institute for Computer-Assisted Teaching (WICAT) Integrated Learning System (ILS) use. Previous research cited in this paper shows that, while teachers are the most important variable in ILS utilization,…

The purpose of the Apple Classroom of Tomorrow (ACOT) is to establish a saturated computer environment both to supplement conventional instruction with computer-based instruction and to teach applicants skills to facilitate performance of school tasks. Seemingly, the most powerful intervention is the pairing of each student with a personal tutor.…

This paper reports on a 3-year computer initiative implemented by a school district in a metropolitan area. The initiative began in 1996 and continued through 1998. The school district of 44,000 students funded 5 computers and an ink jet color printer in each elementary classroom in 34 schools. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact…

The World Institute of Computer Assisted Teaching (WICAT) system was installed in November 1985 at the Salina and Fordson Schools in Dearborn, Michigan, and selected students in grades two, three, and four received their regular reading and/or mathematics instruction in the WICAT computer laboratory. Achievement gains of these students were…

This study assessed whether or not classroom-based micro-computer applications can help improve students' performance on standardized tests, and which subject areas such programs are most effective in for fourth graders in two Mississippi schools. The Teaching and Learning with Computers (TLC) program placed a local area network in the school with…

This keynote address reported on the current state of science education in three areas: curriculum development, attitudes toward science, and assessment in science. Three major projects in science curriculum reform were the focus of the section on curriculum development: (1) Project 2061; (2) Scope, Sequence, and Coordination; and (3) Earth…