This final performance report for the Loudoun County Public Library literacy project begins with a section that provides quantitative data. The next section compares actual accomplishments to the major project objective: to create a non-threatening learning environment at the Transitional Housing Center (THC), a residential homeless shelter.…

Responds to a recent critical report on computers in childhood. Highlights include computers, children, and research; social and emotional development; types of software; motivation; social and cognitive interactions; cognitive development; creativity; language and literacy; writing and word processing; mathematics and reasoning; and science and…

Reviews two software programs, "PhoneDisc Business95" and "BusinessMAP LTF," that offer user-friendly, low-cost, and quick methods of identifying and mapping patterns of the names of U.S. businesses. This software can be used to help students understand how populations see and define themselves regionally and visualize the demographic spread of…

University of Texas (Austin) freshman and senior English literature students and graduate humanities students tested a synchronous local area computer network's applicability for classroom discussion and collaborative exams and essays. Student responses to 50-70 research questions show advantages of computer-assisted classroom discussion (CACD)…

Examines teaching styles, technology use, and implementation of thematic units among preservice and practicing teachers. Findings indicated that teachers' instructional styles influenced the ways computer technology and thematic instruction were implemented. Suggests that successful integration of technology and thematic instruction requires…

The Nordic Committee on Educational Software and Technology has been overseeing cooperative development and production of software and technology in all areas of education except the university since 1986. Costly duplication of effort has been avoided, and all the Nordic countries have access to more educational software than they could develop…

Describes the use of a HyperCard-based computer-assisted instructional program at Otago Polytechnic (New Zealand) that replaces traditional lectures in analytical chemistry. Topics discussed include the instructor's role; computer-managed testing; writing the computer program; computer simulations; digitized video movies; and student reactions.…

Considers the use of pre- and posttest results as formative evaluation tools and describes a small group evaluation of computer-assisted language learning (CALL) courseware dealing with French for banking. Test design is discussed, including standards, validity, and reliability; and results from user questionnaires are examined. (Contains 14…

Uses of computer technology by two- and four-year colleges to enhance instruction, curriculum planning, research, and college and program administration in a wide variety of disciplines are described. The descriptions focus on innovative uses of both hardware and software. (MSE)

Discusses strategies for teaching elementary computer programing and describes a study that used two instructional strategies in a computer-based training program designed to teach turtle graphics programing techniques to novice undergraduate students. Learning activities that emphasized either the completion of existing programs or the generation…

This project was designed to provide a framework for user evaluation of software packages and hypertext environments in terms of the extent to which they provide flexibility for learners to follow their preferred learning styles. Evaluation was carried out in relation to hypertext packages, learning styles and outcomes, and system design. (four…

Asserts that, although pressures to publish have detracted from the quality of teaching at the college level, recent innovations in educational technology have created opportunities for instructional improvement. Describes the use of computer-assisted instruction and databases in college-level history courses. (CFR)

Advances a framework for teacher-assisted computer implementation based on Vygotsky's theory of socially mediated cognitive development. The approach suggested by this framework acknowledges critical roles of adults or more skilled partners in task performance and knowledge construction. Describes an application of the approach used to provide…

Describes a software shell, STAR.Legacy, designed to guide attempts to help students learn from case, problem, and project-based learning. STAR.Legacy supports the integration of four types of learning environments: learner-centered, knowledge-centered, assessment-centered, and community-centered. Describes how a STAR.Legacy constructed for an…

Presents a brief overview of the recent history and current state of computers as instructional tools for history. Maintains that, although computer use in social science research has increased, most classroom instruction remains static. Includes several descriptions of programs and applications for classrooms. (MJP)