Based on a study of eight LD students learning to use word processing, the paper makes recommendations for evaluating word processing software and designing instruction that is sensitive to students' difficulties. (Author/CL)

Adventure/fantasy games, a form of simulation software, are described and recommended for bright but unmotivated learning disabled students. Several commercial games are reviewed and suggestions are given for writing the program for an adventure game. The games are thought to contribute to reading comprehenson, spelling, critical thinking, and…

Learning disabled students were taught to use the LOGO computer graphics language in an integrated fourth- and fifth-grade setting. Instructional strategies (such as providing many reviews) along with the intrinsically motivating nature of LOGO were thought to be responsible for the success. (CL)

The author offers information on 11 modification techniques that may make commercial software programs more appropriate for learning disabled students. (CL)

A project is described which will design, develop, field test, and refine a computer-based instructional system for remediating problems in memory and metacognition of students with hearing disabilities. The system will focus on fundamental cognitive skills underlying every content area. (CL)

Field review of four problem-solving software programs (Memory Castle, The Pond, King's Rule, and Puzzle Tanks) are reported. Although the software was generally successful in completing its objectives, some recommendations are made for better adapting them to the needs of learning disabled students. (CL)

In special education, computers can assist with individualized instruction and manage recordkeeping, but instructional applications are frequently limited by software. Educators must become advocates by supporting computer literacy programs and becoming consultants for researchers and software developers to assure the development of quality…

The article describes ways in which learning disabled students can use simple database management and word processing programs as active users. Involvement in these types of computer applications allows the user to be an active, creative communicator. (CL)

Student Assistant for Learning from Text (SALT) is a software system for developing hypermedia versions of textbooks for students with reading difficulties. Ten students with learning disabilities in grades 9 and 10 read passages from a science textbook in either the basic or computer-enhanced version. Students using the enhanced version received…

Four studies are offered from a Piagetian perspective on providing children with an optimal microcomputer environment. Guidelines stress the importance of flexibility, and a hierarchical software environment. (CL)

A survey of 50 school districts assesses the extent to which special educators are moving beyond drill and practice software with learning disabled and emotionally disturbed students and identified factors preventing or discouraging applications beyond drill and practice. (Author/CL)

This exploratory study evaluated the efforts of one sixth-grade student with learning disabilities to use voice-input technology in written communication. The major problem encountered was the inability of the program to recognize more than 74% of the boy's utterances, thus requiring keyboard correction procedures. The technology is seen to have…

This study compared the effects of two computer-based writing tools (text-based "FrEd Writer" and graphics-based "Once Upon a Time") on the story-writing skills of nine students (grades four through eight) with language-related learning disabilities. Group results did not clearly favor either tool; however, individual…

This article reviews ways that computers can support writing by students with learning disabilities. It discusses research on word processing, software for transcription and sentence generation, spelling checkers, speech synthesizers, word prediction programs, grammar and style checkers, prompting programs, outlining and semantic mapping software,…