Provides abstracts of selected papers presented at EdCompCon '84. Topics addressed include: what features educators want in educational software; effects of teaching method on student performance by sex in a computer literacy course; implementation and evaluation of a university microcomputer laboratory; and implementation and evaluation of PLATO…

Discusses the differences between the uses of microcomputers and minicomputers as educational tools. Outlines how a Maryland school district overcame the drawbacks it found in using microcomputers by developing a more comprehensive computer-assisted instruction program using minicomputers. (MD)

Planning for the Modesto City School's introductory computer education program involved six questions: (1) What should students learn? (2) How should they learn it? (3) How long should/does it take? (4) How well are students learning it? (5) Can we do it better? and (6) Can we do it in less time? (LMO)

The Irvine Unified School District developed a Master Plan and Guide for Computer Utilization, outlining major goals in microcomputer and mainframe computer use. Educational objectives were identified, and a three-year staff development plan was implemented. (LMO)

Raises several major concerns of educators in the adoption of interactive video for instructional purposes. Identifies a number of useful sources of information for those who want to address these concerns. (FL)

The article analyzes computer software for learning disabled students in the areas of language arts, math, social studies, science, and miscellaneous skills (such as reasoning and problem solving). Software is evaluated in terms of general aspects (including reading and interest level methodology, curricular considerations, and student-computer…

Outlines research conducted at Brigham Young University to identify effective, efficient computer-based drill and practice instructional strategies for teaching paired associate or multiple discrimination tasks. A sophisticated computer-based drill and practice is contrasted with a simple flashcard strategy. Research supporting the sophisticated…

For social studies teachers who want to create their own software, authoring systems and authoring languages offer an interesting avenue to be explored. An authoring system available from Courseware, Inc., (California) and the authoring language PILOT available from Apple Computer (California) are described. (RM)

Considers some possibilities for using computers in foreign language instruction and in teaching English as a second language. Looks at three modes in which the computer may be used: as tutor, tool, and tutee. Demonstrates uses of some of the available software in each of these modes. (SED)

Ten guidelines for the reading teacher to aid in finding programs that will become an indispensable part of reading activities in the classroom. (CRH)

Five aspects of computer assisted instruction in German are discussed: its history, the current rate of usage and success, the need for instructor training in computer literacy, the availability of courseware, and methods and aids for developing courseware. (MSE)

This study focuses on the effects of map display and modality on learning geographical maps in a computer-based environment. Participants were randomly assigned to four versions of a computer program created by crossing two levels of map display (hypertext vs. rollover) with two levels of modality (audio vs. audio and text). Results showed that…

This evaluation studied the role PLATO Learning played within a basic competency remediation program and in a peer tutor program at Western Harnett High School (WHHS) in Lillington, North Carolina in the spring 1998 semester. To graduate from North Carolina high schools, students must pass a basic competency examination. Those WHHS students…

Many new technologies are now available for delivering and/or providing access to computer-based learning (CBL) materials. These technologies vary in sophistication in many important ways, depending upon the bandwidth that they provide, the interactivity that they offer and the types of end-user connectivity that they support.Invariably,…

Computer programming is a domain of knowledge that is generally considered difficult by students, many of whom experience low levels of achievement and become disillusioned. This paper suggests that cognitive load theory needs to be taken into account when designing instructional materials for this domain. The cognitive load that is experienced by…