Examines the advantages and disadvantages of using microcomputers in educational management, for instance in handling financial, personnel, or student data. Draws on a study by the Minnesota Educational Computing Consortium, to compare microcomputers to large computers and manual record keeping in school administration. (Author/RW)

Discusses vehicle routing problems and solutions. Describes testing of an interactive computer graphics package combining several types of solutions that allows users with little or no experience to work out routing problems. (Author/RW)

Describes a methodology for linking instructional objectives to computer assisted instruction software and for evaluating the software in regard to such objectives. The proposed taxonomy codifies instructional objectives into machine readable format and includes the elements of subject, function, skill hierarchies, capability level, and…

Points out differences between the "instructional design" and "authoring" approaches to creating courses and courseware for computer-assisted instruction (CAI). Describes models and procedures for designing effective CAI packages. (Author/RW)

Demonstrates methods of enhancing communication between computers and computer users in educational programs. Applies educational learning concepts to the design of software to improve user/machine interaction, especially for microcomputers. (Author/RW)

To realize the ultimate potential of a management information system in a local school district it will be necessary to address problems related to the system's data elements, the compliance mentality of vocational educators, and the lack of local expertise specific to the operation and utilization of these systems. (Author/IRT)

A pretest-posttest study investigated the use of computers in managing and delivering home-based curricula for handicapped and high-risk preschool children in the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. Results indicated the computer increased curriculum effectiveness in concept development, maternal interaction, and data…

Describes how the business computing science department at Texas A. & M. University devised a computerized information system about students for the university's new medical school. Discusses the roles of faculty members and administrators in the project and the design, implementation, and evaluation of the project. (Author/RW)

Reports on a four-year study of computer-assisted instruction (CAI) in which microcomputers were used in individual college classrooms as interactive instructional systems. Discusses students' feelings about CAI, the computer hardware and software, and the lesson models involved. (Author/RW)

The computer-based system for routing school buses in rural areas which is discussed minimizes both transportation costs and the average student ride time. Route generation methodology is described and a flowchart of the algorithm is included. (Author/JJD)

This discussion of computer-assisted repeatable tests, which are frequently used to evaluate and monitor students' acquisition of knowledge in mastery learning situations, cites and describes a number of specific examples of systems for creating both online and batch tests. A reference list is provided. (JJD)

Although most users respond favorably to computerized career information systems, staff in human services agencies are sometimes resistant to the systems. (JM)

Discusses microcomputer uses for administrative computing in education at site level and central office and recommends that administrators start with a word processing program for time management, an electronic spreadsheet for financial accounting, a database management system for inventories, and self-written programs to alleviate paper…

Describes a system that generates alternative student assignment plans for the year-round school, enabling the selection of the best school assignment and tract-balancing plan for a district. (Author/JM)

An outline of microcomputer applications for administrative computing in education is followed by discussions of aspects of office automation, database management systems, management information systems, administrative computer systems, and software. Several potential problems relating to administrative computing in education are identified.…