This report summarizes the discussions at a seminar which provided the opportunity for 15 researchers and developers from the United Kingdom and other European countries to consider a number of short, medium, and long-term issues and assist in setting an agenda for future phases of research. The specific goals were: (1) to identify the tools…

Designed to assist the educator in making informed decisions about the quality and selection of instructional microcomputer software, this annotated bibliography examines literature dealing with the need for software evaluation, evaluation criteria, and the effectiveness of computer-assisted instruction. Introductory materials provide a brief…

Instructional designers who are asked to convert existing training materials into computer-based training (CBT) must take special precautions to avoid making the product into a sophisticated page turner. Although conversion may save considerable time on subject research and analysis, courses to be delivered through microcomputers may require…

This handbook is intended to guide the vocational educator through the task of selecting and evaluating software for the vocational curriculum. Section 1 focuses on computer-based education. Chapter 1 defines computer-based education and the hardware and software required when the computer is used as an educational delivery system. Chapter 2…

Arguing that the production system for computer courseware has a strong impact on quality courseware development, this report offers an introduction into the relationships between instructional system design and software engineering, and investigates courseware quality as a means of identifying quality enhancement factors that can make the…

This description of the use of "probeware," i.e., hardware which connects to a microcomputer and works with the software to measure factors such as temperature, light, or motion in science laboratory experiments, uses as an example an experiment which would involve the measurement of pendulum motion using the "Precision Timer…

This review of the literature begins by exploring the development of computer literacy as a discipline since its introduction in colleges and universities around 1965 and in economically privileged high schools around 1970. The impact of a conference sponsored by the National Science Foundation and Human Resources Research Organization in 1980 on…

This paper presents examples of effective uses of microcomputers to support basic statistics instruction. All programs are written in Applesoft BASIC for Apple II Plus microcomputers and compatible equipment. They have been field tested in statistics courses at the University of Maryland. Microcomputers can be used with color monitors for…

The two interconnected problems of educational quality and piracy are described and analyzed in this book, which begins with an investigation of the accusations regarding the alleged dismal quality of educational software. The reality behind accusations of rampant piracy and the effect of piracy on the quality of educational software is examined…

Developed to provide Washington State educators with information on the evaluation of computer software or courseware, this booklet includes brief sections on general criteria for evaluating instructional materials, general criteria for evaluating courseware, and special considerations in evaluating courseware. Such considerations include deciding…

This report provides a general overview of available courseware for computer assisted instruction by examining the distribution of these packages across grade level, hardware type, instructional mode, and subject areas, including art, business education, computer science, language arts, foreign language, mathematics, science, social studies,…

This conference collection presents 40 complete papers and abstracts of 33 project reports and 19 poster sessions, representing discussions of a variety of issues in the applications of computers to learning in business, industry, education, government, and the military services. A presentation on the conference topic "Courseware…

Suggests computer assisted instruction software that doesn't provide all necessary components of a lesson can be useful if the teacher identifies instructional functions (Gagne's Events of Instruction) provided by the program and supplies those that are missing. This framework is applied to analysis of a specific computer program. (MBR)

A case study discusses factors influencing the selection of microcomputer instructional software for a cerebral palsied 6-year-old boy. Complete descriptive information is provided for 25 software programs selected in language arts, mathematics, problem solving, communication, and music. (JW)

Reviews the concepts and techniques used in developing textual materials that teach, focusing on those that have evolved during the trend toward programmed instruction. The possible application of cognitive psychology concepts to instructional material design is discussed. (21 references) (CLB)