Describes the development of strategies and software to help people work collaboratively while at a distance from one another. The importance of collaborative activities, the shared spaces concept behind groupware, examples of software that support synchronous and asynchronous group activities, and design issues for educational groupware are…

Discusses evaluation criteria for selecting courseware that teaches basic concepts appropriate for preschool and early elementary students. Reviews of the software manual, the courseware itself, and reviews by students are suggested. Other areas of concern that are addressed include instructional quality, production quality, flexibility, and cost.…

This is the third in a series of articles discussing models that can be used to help students visualize the interaction of computer hardware and software. It focuses on a demonstration of how the computer works when the LOGO programing language has been added to memory. (LRW)

Discussion of knowledge constructionism focuses on LEGO TC logo, a program that permits control of LEGO toys by means of a computer. A project for 9- and 10-year-old students that uses LEGO TC logo to develop concepts related to automatic control systems is explained. (three references) (LRW)

Discusses the use of technology to support alternative assessment, including portfolios of student work. Multimedia computer software programs are reviewed; database programs, hypermedia programs, and video portfolios are discussed; technology storage is considered; and future possibilities are suggested, including hardware options. (Contains two…

Describes various resources accessed through Telnet software that are available through the Internet for use in elementary and secondary education. Highlights include the National Public Telecomputing Network's Cleveland Freenet; Washington University's SERVICES gateway; and Wide Area Information Server (WAIS) programs. (LRW)

This third installment in a series on instructional videodiscs for teachers focuses on the equipment needed to bring videodisc programs to the classroom. Videodisc delivery systems are explained, players and monitors are described, and three types of computer-controlled systems are discussed: hybrid systems, peripheral systems, and integrated…

Describes a survey of members of the Educational Software Evaluation Consortium that resulted in a ranked list of 22 criteria used in preparing their annual software preview guide. Noting that content and pedagogical concerns received the highest rankings, the report offers five recommendations for future software development, evaluation, and…

Presents two lessons focusing on (1) spreadsheet design and (2) editing and printing spreadsheets. Materials provided include a list of functions for which students need to learn the commands, suggestions for presenting the lesson, three spreadsheet story problems, student exercises in editing, and two reference sheets for AppleWorks. (LRW)

Many of the characteristics that make the Windows 3.1 software popular in other settings are useful for instruction. Features and accessories that can enhance teacher productivity include task switching, object linking and embedding, and object packaging. Users can take advantage of Windows-compatible shareware (an example suitable for chemistry…

Describes the use of hypertext to enhance the study process by linking related information together. Types of links used in hypertext documents are explained, exploratory hypertext systems are discussed, principles of effective studying are reviewed, and three specific hypertext systems are described as examples of how to enhance student learning.…

Describes the participation of a small Catholic school near Philadelphia in the AT&T Learning Circles Project, which involved networking with schools in several states. The integration of the telecommunications project with the language arts curriculum is discussed, including creative writing about local food and historic places to share with…

Reports on the development and current status of data projection panels, which are liquid crystal display units for projecting computer images onto a large screen with the aid of an overhead projector. Information for various companies' models are listed, including compatibility with computers, color or mono display, software, and price. (LRW)

Describes the use of computer-generated concept maps using a new genre of graphics programs that allows students to create, alter and expand maps as they acquire more subject matter knowledge. Four examples of increasingly complex concept maps developed by a high school student studying cellular biology are discussed and illustrated. (Contains 19…

Describes computer curriculum designed for gifted middle school students that culminates in the eighth grade by having students prepare programs for elementary school students. Students either write their own programs or adapt public domain software, based on questionnaire responses from elementary school teachers indicating their needs. (LRW)