Lists some criteria that should be considered before purchasing any computer-based training product or service. Points out some negative economic ramifications that result from not consulting this or a similar list of criteria. (CT)

Looks at a number of features to consider when choosing a computer for classroom use. (FL)

This paper provides an evaluative framework to clarify the similarities and differences in five purposes for which a computer may be used to aid instruction. Each purpose implies its own method of evaluation and each has a different set of effectiveness measures that highlight its unique value. The first four involve adding new skills or knowledge…

This paper discusses the effect that microelectronic technology will have on elementary education in the decades ahead, and some of the uses of computers as learning aids for young children, including interactive games, tutorial systems, creative activity, and simulation. (MP)

While disputing the exaggerated claims for computerized teaching symbolized by Time Magazine's choice of a computer for its 1982 "man of the year," this paper argues that since the technology is omnipresent, and that since it can facilitate learning under certain conditions, teachers should be as informed about it as possible. A discussion of…

Computer time-sharing offers many interesting possibilities for use in teaching computer technology. To test the hypothesis that with proper hardware and software, students using time-sharing as a teaching machine could acquire proficiency in the fundamentals of programing more easily than by using standard batch-processing techniques, the…

In four chapters, this research report on computers in education examines computer hardware (the machinery) and software (or courseware, programmed instructions that tell the hardware what to do), classroom uses of computers, ways of bringing computers into the schools, and four districts that have successfully introduced computers into their…

A recent needs study determined that most of the terminal requirements for military computer assisted instruction (CAI) applications can be satisfied with mainstream commercial terminals. Additional development, however, is likely to be required to satisfy two of the capabilities (limited graphics and prerecorded visuals). The expected…

A policy study was conducted in four rounds to assess the anticipated payoff of investment by the Advanced Research Projects Office in the development of a new family of terminals for use by the military in computer-assisted instruction. Members of the panel of experts proposed features, rated them, and reacted to the resulting ratings. Of the 24…

This survey describes the range of computer technology that the Great City Schools are now using for administrative and instructional purposes. The report looks at how city school systems are now planning to install computers; how they are managing the planning, the purchasing, and evaluation of equipment; what equipment is actually being…

Instructional media have been studied for many years in the Department of Applied Electronics of the Royal Institute of Technology to determine their value for teaching purposes. They have been studied particularly as an aid to instruction on semiconductors. The choice of teaching format and of media has been determined by the basic philosophy…

It has been claimed that in the near future computers and their accompanying new technology will solve the outstanding problems of education. The authors believe that the problems of implementation, costs, and reliability may slow if not prevent the rapid assimilation of the new educational technology into the average school system. They also…

The introduction of computers, systems analysis, and various new media into education has been heralded as a panecea for for all the problems now facing our schools. The potential of new educational technology is indeed great, but much needs to be done before it can be realized. Computers and computing languages need extensive development to be…