This theme issue includes four articles on the effective use of computers and electronic technology in education, and on equitable access to educational technologies for Hispanics and other minority groups. "Teachers and Instructional Technology: Wise or Foolish Choices" (Laura Chris Green) describes three unproductive roles for computer…

This paper discusses the use of computers to modify the learning processes of preschool children. Focusing on children from non-francophone, lower-class, immigrant families in a suburb of Paris, France, the paper discusses the development of specialized computer software to allow children to type the names of animals, objects, and people on the…

Research on the motivational aspects of multimedia games may provide ways to design more engaging user information systems which increase users' exploratory and information-seeking behaviors. Two small-scale exploratory studies examined the effects of introducing information on the intrinsic motivation of users of a CD-ROM game. Results of the…

A traditional dichotomy has always existed between the quantitative origins of computers and the subjective and expressive nature of art. Computer technology, however, has become simultaneously more sophisticated in its application and more simplified in its use. Computers can now serve as viable and productive components of an art education…

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between the use of technology and student computation and geometry achievement. The study also examined possible relationships between achievement differences related to demographic and background characteristics of the students and the use of technology. The sample of 956 students in…

When matched for achievement level and educational objectives, computer technology can be particularly effective with at-risk students. Computer-assisted instructional software is the most widely available type of software. An exciting development pertinent to literacy education is the development of the "electronic book" (also called…

Logo programming language was conceived 25 years ago, but in the 10 years since it has made its way out of the laboratory, research has not clarified the role of Logo in education. A conference on Logo and mathematics focused on mathematical and educational issues, rather than on technical issues related to changes in hardware and Logo software.…

Topics addressed by 40 papers from a conference on microcomputers include: developing a campus wide computer ethics policy; integrating new technologies into professional education; campus computer networks; computer assisted instruction; client/server architecture; competencies for entry-level computing positions; auditing and professional…

Progress is reported on research conducted in school settings to investigate methods to help students--especially at-risk students--to acquire and use knowledge to solve problems. The methods incorporate principles of learning and instruction derived from basic research on cognition. Specifically, the research involves using microcomputer and…

The premise of this paper is that the most important need in education today is the design of an appropriate role for computers and related technologies to profoundly change teacher roles and the structure of the educational system. The discussion describes how teachers can act as central agents for meaningful educational reform. Based on a new…

The use of computers to facilitate learning is yet to make an appreciable in-road into the teaching-learning process in most developing Third World countries. The purchase cost and maintenance expenses of the equipment are the major inhibiting factors related to adoption of this high technology in these countries. This study investigated: (1) the…

One of nine brief guides for special educators on using computer technology, this guide focuses on uses with preschool children with either mild to severe disabilities. Especially noted is the ability of the computer to provide access to environmental experiences otherwise inaccessible to the young handicapped child. Appropriate technology for…

The curriculum consists of 16 units covering: (1) addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of whole numbers; (2) common fractions; (3) mixed numbers; and (4) decimals. Each unit consists of a pretest, assignment of lessons as needed, and a posttest. Paper-and-pencil worksheets that accompany the computer lessons are an integral part of…

This report discusses how computers are being used in high school science classrooms. For this report, four high school science teachers were interviewed. The approach to science instruction described in these four interviews deals with the areas of scientific and technological literacy, making science learning fun and attractive, and stimulating…

A study was conducted in which word processing and voice synthesis were used to teach beginning writing skills to kindergarten and first grade students. Subjects, 46 children from two elementary schools enrolled in an early education summer school class in writing, were randomly divided into three groups. One group was taught writing using a…