Discusses the development of computer-assisted music instruction at Ohio State University and describes a courseware development system for the Apple Macintosh microcomputer that facilitates the creation of sophisticated computer-assisted music instruction programs. Walter Hewlett's pitch representation system is described, structured programing…

Discussion of complimentary computer software for college-level textbooks focuses on a study that investigated how a complimentary program was used and identified factors that influenced its use or nonuse. Barriers to use are described, including personal, technical, process, political, and economic factors. (Contains four references.) (LRW)

Describes a study that analyzed the evolution of microcomputer-based instructional software for grades K-12 published from 1981-88. Four companies identified their most popular software and their most technically advanced software. Products in each category were analyzed to develop a chronology of the evolution of instructional software and to…

Identifies and summarizes important research in modern cognitive psychology that has implications for the design of computer drill and practice programs in education. Highlights include automaticity of subskills; interference present in a learning task; spacing of practice sessions; spaced review; capacity of short-term memory; and representation…

Investigates the effects of single- and multiple-window displays on the achievement of fourth-grade students during computer-assisted instruction by applying research-based window design guidelines. Results showed that, although there were no differences in window use, high ability students in the single window treatment demonstrated higher…

Discusses difficulties in developing manpower, hardware, and evaluation systems for computer-assisted instruction (CAI) in Taiwan. Highlights include the use of CAI in universities, secondary schools, and government agencies; a national project including personnel training, courseware development, and evaluation; and difficulties with computer…

Presents suggestions for selecting authoring systems based on reviews of over one dozen systems; defines authoring systems; discusses their potential benefits; introduces background evaluation concepts; describes procedures for collecting information about system attributes; and presents a system selection checklist and an authoring system…

Describes learning strategies used by design groups at the Educational Technology Center at the University of California, Irvine, to develop interactive computer-based learning materials. Highlights include excerpts from scripts developed in project design sessions; yes-no questions and string matching; pointing input and single characteristic…

Discussion of the use of hypertext focuses on a study conducted at the University of Connecticut that evaluated the effectiveness and acceptance of a hypertext document under one of three different learning conditions: (1) in competition with standard lectures, (2) as a supplement to lectures, and (3) as a replacement for lectures. (14 references)…

Reviews trends in computer assisted instruction (CAI) in Japan, focusing on authoring languages and mathematical model-based courseware development. The scale of personal computer use and types of courseware used in elementary and junior high schools is described, and an example of an intelligent CAI system is given. (Author/LRW)

Describes a survey of physics and physical science teachers in Iowa that was conducted to determine their use of microcomputers. Availability of computers and types of software used are examined, frequency of use and access to computer laboratories are investigated, and results are compared with those from earlier surveys. (seven references) (LRW)

Discusses text presentation in computer-based instruction and reviews research that has been done in this area. Topics discussed include length of text, amount of text presented at one time, rate of text presentation, color, text comprehension, text structure, reader comprehension, and new directions for computer-based text. (23 references) (LRW)

Describes study of fourth and fifth grade students which explained the effect of graphics on student motivation in a microcomputer-based spelling drill program. The role of feedback in instruction is discussed, the impact of graphics on computer software is described, and results are analyzed. (4 references) (LRW)

Examines the importance of levels of questioning and types of feedback in designing courseware for computer-based education. Test results are analyzed for four groups of high school students who completed different versions of a computer-based science lesson, and recommendations for future research are given. (Author/LRW)

Discussion of menu design strategies for computer-assisted instruction (CAI) focuses on a study that investigated whether menu design would affect undergraduate learners' usage patterns during a CAI lesson. Sequential versus random selection of options is discussed, and new measures for describing usage patterns in CAI are explained. (eight…