The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of behavioral and cognitive organizing strategies and varied processing intervals on factual and inferential learning. A total of 49 upper-division undergraduate and graduate students, who were randomly assigned to either a cognitive, behavioral, or individual orienting strategy group, received…

The contribution of decentration as an underlying component of discrimination learning and discrimination shift behavior was investigated in this study. In addition, the effect of verbal labeling and the relationship of academic achievement to discrimination learning and decentration was considered. The subjects were 120 first grade students who…

Describes a study of fifth and sixth graders that investigated the effects of cooperative training and ability grouping on microcomputer learning. Results on four measures of achievement did not support the use of cooperative learning or ability grouping to enhance achievement in computer-assisted instruction. (Author/LRW)

This article reports on findings from two studies in which computer-assisted instruction in study skills was used with high school students. (DF)

Freshmen in a microcomputer class (n=33) used cooperative learning and watched instructor demonstrations; a control group (n=36) worked independently and received verbal instructions. Previous computer experience influenced achievement. A combination of cooperative/independent and verbal instruction/demonstration methods was recommended. (SK)

The paper discusses the major topics of software, examines research on the effectiveness of computer assisted instruction (CAI) for learning disabled adolescents, and suggests specific and creative uses of microcomputers in academic and cognitive skill development. (Author/CL)

Discusses factors which should be taken into account when designing and arranging furniture used with microcomputers in classroom learning centers. (JJD)

Reviews the Pupils' Learning and Access to Information Technology project that was conducted in elementary and secondary schools in Northern Ireland to investigate the impact of using portable home computers on students' learning. Performance gains are examined, and operational issues in the use of portable computers are discussed. (Contains 17…

Discussion of the advantages of local area networks (LANs) focuses on their use for successful cooperative learning. Individual and group assessment of success are discussed, effects on academic and affective achievement are considered, and computer-assisted instruction (CAI) programs to use with networking are suggested. (19 references) (LRW)

Research reports issued during the last decade and a half on the effectiveness of computer-based education (CBE) are examined. Surveys of research on CBE over this time period are considered rather than individual studies. Thus, this report represents a synthesis of a number of review articles which provide snapshots across two decades of the kind…

Teachers can use microcomputers in informal assessment of learning disabled students' academic achievement, math and science progress, reading comprehension, cognitive processes, motivation and social interaction. Selected software for unobtrusive, informal assessment is listed. (CL)

Discusses the philosophy behind LOGO and presents several examples of how it has been adapted for use with physically and mentally handicapped and learning disabled children to promote academic and social development through computer programing. (MBR)

Describes a study of undergraduates that was conducted to determine students' preferences toward Graphical User Interface versus Command Line Interface during computer-assisted instruction. Previous experience, comfort level, performance scores, and student attitudes are examined and compared, and the computer use survey is appended. (Contains 13…

Reports on studies that analyze the impact of microcomputers in schools on student achievement as compared to more traditional methods, and explores research that relates student achievement to software design, learner characteristics, and instructional decisions on technology implementation. (17 references) (MAB)

The effects of three types of pacing in microcomputer-based instructional programs were examined by evaluating learning competency on five achievement tests ranging in difficulty from memorizing facts to solving problems. Subjects were 100 first-term freshmen enrolled at Ohio State University who completed a microcomputer program on heart…