Videodisk technology consists of the videodisk, the videodisk player, and the equipment necessary to produce the videodisk. Describes videodisk technology and its advantages over similar media, its most prevalent uses, current educational applications, and courseware developed by the Interactive Videodisk for Special Education Technology project.…

Many current software systems for authoring interactive microcomputer/video instructional materials have noticeable drawbacks. Advantages of interactive software systems are examined and a research project to develop interactive video authoring tools without the drawbacks is described. (JN)

Points out that although there are thousands of software programs available to support educational applications, there is a paucity of suitable courseware. An in-place system for proper evaluation of courseware that, to date, has "approved" more than 200 computer-assisted instructional programs is described. (JN)

Reports on the various ways microcomputer hardware and courseware are being integrated into the nation's schools, in a race to avoid being locked into technological mediocrity. Effectiveness of computer assisted instruction, courseware development, and the time students use computers in elementary and secondary schools are among the areas…

Describes a system recently implemented in a Utah school system which uses computer technologies to promote and monitor mastery learning. Discusses the development of the system, including the search for appropriate hardware and software, and the training of teachers to use the system. (TW)

The director of an educational technology center, who maintains that much of today's computer courseware is of low quality, provides a checklist of points which can be used to identify educationally viable software then outlines two future scenarios for academia, illustrating the results of courseware selection. (JN)

Discusses computer editing and describes the capacities and features of an integrated software package, Writer's Workbench. Suggests ways in which this program can be used to improve writing skills. Reviews the effects of this program on technical users, college students, and high school students. (ML)

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)

Describes the design and delivery of a college course for information system students utilizing a Computer-Aided Software Engineering program. Discusses class assignments, cooperative learning, student attitudes, and the advantages of using this software in the course. (CW)

Discusses the trends in education toward computer equipment and computer assisted learning in England. Surveys some of the attitudes of educators and students toward home-based, computer-aided learning, hardware and software. Anticipates future developments in technology for education. (CW)

Discusses the development of Pennsylvania's Information Technology Education for the Commonwealth (ITEC) program, which was mandated by legislation in 1984. Describes some of the activities of the 14 Regional Computer Resource Centers (RCRCs) which were created by ITEC to provide computer education to Pennsylvania teachers. (TW)

Describes a successful school model that is piloting computer hardware and software while reviewing and modifying classroom strategies and instructional techniques. Discusses the purpose of the school and a typical day of instruction. Lists results for the fifth and sixth grades. (MVL)

Discusses the need for evaluative reviews of computer software designed for school administrators. Outlines the rating process used by the Administrative Software Clearinghouse at Memphis State University. Includes descriptions of five administrative software packages which deal with class scheduling, attendance, grade reporting, classroom…

Presents one educator's reaction to the National Task Force on Educational Technology's report. Provides responses to certain passages from the report's eight sections. Emphasizes that educators should look for ways to implement existing information-age technology in addition to more traditional forms of education technologies. (TW)

Presents an overview of an interactive videodisc courseware project that was designed to train teachers and to develop videodisc courseware modules in physics. Chronicles the progress made, describes the course content, and discusses the ramifications of the participants' attempt to put the training into practice. (ML)