To determine which elements of courseware are and are not effective in computer-based education, 59 learning disabled students were observed during a 5 1/2-month period using over 20 commercial courseware packages. Additional elements of the naturalistic study included interviews with teachers, students, and administrators; and analysis of the…

Describes a naturalistic paradigm and discusses the value of using a naturalistic, or qualitative, approach to study the effectiveness of computer-based instruction (CBI) and to design effective courseware. Topics discussed include data collection; data analysis; and findings of naturalistic studies of CBI effectiveness. (53 references) (LRW)

Investigated were the interactions among instructional elements of 26 commercial courseware packages, 62 learning-disabled students (aged 9-18), and their seven teachers. Reported are teachers' strategies for introducing, augmenting, and integrating computer-based education into ongoing instructional arrangements. Teachers developed a variety of…

Describes a study that investigated the interaction of learning-disabled students and their teachers with instructional elements of commercial courseware. The relationship of courseware design to student independence and motivation is discussed, implications for improving courseware design are noted, and ideas for further research are suggested.…

An 18-month project was conducted to adapt the resource room version of the National Center for Research in Vocational Education's Career Planning System (CPS) for delivery through microcomputers. Specific goals of the project were as follows: to adapt a print-based product previously found successful with middle school students who displayed mild…

An 18-month project was conducted to create a microcomputer version of the National Center for Research in Vocational Education's Career Planning System (CPS) designed for use with mildly mentally retarded, learning disabled, and behaviorally handicapped middle school students. Separate formative and summative evaluations measured the…