Discusses the main categories of instructional software, including drill/practice, tutorials, simulation/problem solving, games, and management, along with factors involved in their design. (Author/MBR)

Argues that with project prices of courseware surpassing those of hardware, the National Science Foundation (NSF) must promote transportability if computer-based instruction is to gain widespread implementation.

Research on the characteristics of effective computer-based education (CBE) courseware suggests that content structure and levels of questions presented determine whether the deep cognitive processing requisite for learning takes place. A decision table of types of instructional questions covering Bloom's taxonomy is presented and discussed.…

Reviews reasons for the decision to change from a timeshare minicomputer to microcomputers, financial considerations involved, the purchase of hardware, the problem posed by the lack of compatible software for the microcomputers, and the development of the Assisted Instructional Development System (AIDS) for adapting minicomputer software and…

The guidelines in this article help in developing educational software. The first rule is that educators should not develop software for education, but should develop an "educational system" that uses software. The distinction is that the former is primarily concerned with the computer and its requirements while the latter focuses on…

This research report discusses several efforts which were undertaken to assist PLANIT (Programming Language for Interactive Teaching) authors in the writing of team lesson scenarios. It also describes and illustrates the assistance given to two such authors who were engaged in the development of computer assisted instruction for training teams of…

The original PLATO music concept was to replace the human performer in the feedback process, wherein the composer specifies an action and monitors the outcome, with a computer-controlled device. The first device of this type is known as the Gooch Synthetic Woodwind (GSW), which attempted to provide some of the features needed in an interactive,…

Suggestions offered to improve the quality of instructional computing software created by computer programming instructors cover analysis of the problem, program design, the development of each module, writing and debugging the program, and final testing and development. (EJS)

An important advance in computer assisted instruction (CAI) is the development of authoring systems that allow teachers to write software without the need for direct use of a higher level language. The primary advantage of authoring systems is that they provide teachers with the means to write CAI in plain English rather than using a computer…

Innovative and interesting energy awareness computer simulations are developed to demonstrate how rapidly world energy reserves are depleted, how quickly and enormously the demand for energy grows, and the importance of energy conservation and conversion. (Author/CMV)

Reviews some of the assumptions underlying authoring guides and evaluation instruments for computer assisted instructional materials and recommends that software design and evaluation criteria be derived from a consistent learning theory base which considers the type of learning, type of learner, and instructional context. (Author/JJD)

Discusses creation of computer classroom environment by implementing Logo, a computer program language designed to develop knowledge of programing, mathematics, and problem solving. Five questions are examined concerning Logo environment, attributes, elements absent in Logo environment, reasons for creating environment, and how to begin. Six…

Considers the design and production of a computer assisted learning (CAL) or computer managed learning (CML) package from the point of view of a programer assisting the teacher who is willing to use it. The stages of production are illustrated by reference to two case studies. (Author/CMV)

A brief discussion of the need to define social studies is followed by methods for developing selection criteria for microcomputer programs in the social studies, a model for lesson development on a microcomputer, and evaluation criteria. The need for educators to carefully state what should be learned is emphasized in terms of controlling the…

Reports on an informal round-table discussion with educators and computer science experts about computer literacy and the role of computers in education, which was conducted at the National Educational Computing Conference. (Author/JJD)