For social studies teachers who want to create their own software, authoring systems and authoring languages offer an interesting avenue to be explored. An authoring system available from Courseware, Inc., (California) and the authoring language PILOT available from Apple Computer (California) are described. (RM)

The driving and resisting forces of introducing computers into social studies classrooms are examined. Elementary teachers' concerns about computers, as revealed in a case study, include the need for training, how to manage computer assisted instruction, where computers should be used in the curriculum, and the need for relevant software. (RM)

Discusses instructional uses for the "Carmen Sandiego" software series to encourage interest in geography. Suggests "Carmen" be incorporated into the curriculum by teacher-directed grouping that adds teacher instruction into cooperative and competitive arenas, curriculum integration linking diverse specialties, and isolated…

Describes effects of interactive video in the social studies classroom. Delineates basic system components and how they may be used to access multimedia kits or to create teacher-designed systems. Illustrates the method by using kits in a tenth grade world history class and an eighth grade unit on the 1988 presidential campaign. (NL)

Outlines a distance education Certificate in Education program for teachers in the Commonwealth Caribbean, administered by the University of the West Indies in association with the University of London. Highlights the learning modules of the Teaching of Social Studies option. Examines student evaluation and explores problems that arise in…

In 1976 Richard Gross surveyed state social studies specialists and local supervisors to determine the status of the social studies. To determine whether the generalizations from his study are still applicable today, a questionnaire was sent to Council of State Social Studies Specialists. Results of the two studies are compared. (RM)