This paper describes SEF.ASSISTANT, a special software shell for authoring languages to be used in the development of courseware serving computer based education (CBE). The capabilities of SEF.ASSISTANT are identified: (1) it will generate programs written in the IBM SEF.PC authoring language; (2) it is compatible with external standard software…

Contrasts artificial intelligence and conventional programming languages. Reviews Personal Consultant Plus, Smalltalk/V, and Nexpert Object, which are PC-based products inspired by problem-solving paradigms. Provides information on background and operation of each. (RT)

Discusses a conference organized by The Association for the Development of Computer-Based Instructional Systems titled "Children, Computers and Education" held in the Soviet Union. Describes the use of computers and the computer labs in Soviet schools visited by the conferees. Notes many schools still lack computers. (MVL)

Notes muMATH is a powerful computer algebra systems assistant for performing symbol manipulation in algebra and calculus. Provides several examples and program listings for calculus tutoring, differentiation drill problems, and integration drill problems. (MVL)

Provides a short BASIC program, RANVAR, which generates random variates for various theoretical probability distributions. The seven variates include: uniform, exponential, normal, binomial, Poisson, Pascal, and triangular. (MVL)

Provides a listing of a software graphics program that investigates the law of reflection and Snell's law of refraction. Written in BASIC for the Apple II personal computer. (MVL)

Identifies and proves two theorems related to expressing rational numbers in decimal form for any natural base m>1. Includes two BASIC computer programs with sample runs. (MVL)

Offers several LOGO programs to study the behavior of simple nonlinear systems. Suggests that LOGO is an excellent tool for studying chaotic systems. Offers suggestions for different forms of LOGO. Builds upon programs presented in a previous article. (MVL)

Discusses the use of computers in chemistry courses at the United States Military Academy. Provides two examples of computer projects: (1) equations of state, and (2) solving for molar volume. Presents BASIC and PASCAL listings for the second project. Lists 10 applications for physical chemistry. (MVL)

Uses a LOGO program and probability to solve systems of equations. Provides a physical model and a LOGO model. Lists programs and explains the methodology used. (MVL)

Provides a method to use superscripts and subscripts on the screen by using graphics screen modes. Gives two methods and provides a listing of a sample BASIC program. (MVL)

Provides a software program for determining PI to the 15th place after the decimal. Explores the history of determining the value of PI from Archimedes to present computer methods. Investigates Wallis's, Liebniz's, and Buffon's methods. Written for Tandy GW-BASIC (IBM compatible) with 384K. Suggestions for Apple II's are given. (MVL)

Reviews national policy on informatics and education in Argentina. Lists government efforts to enhance computer literacy. Discusses the social context of computers. Calls for teacher training in computer techniques. Highlights the importance of computer resource specialists in schools. (CW)

Describes a summer graduate level course at Virginia Commonwealth University for mathematics teachers. Notes that the purpose of the course was to allow the teachers access to software usable in their classrooms, and to have teachers program in BASIC and use word processing programs. (MVL)