Reviews four current software titles recommended for use in the ESL (English-as-a-Second-Language) classroom: Story Club; Steps to English Language Development; ELLIS Senior Mastery; and Madison Stories--After the Auction. Several other software packages of value in the ESL classroom are also described. (SLW)

Discussion of the use of programming as a learning activity focuses on software-realized scaffolding. Emile, software that facilitates programming for modeling and simulation in physics, is described, and results of an evaluation of the use of Emile with high school students are reported. (Contains 95 references.) (LRW)

Discusses the use of hypermedia in education and describes the Interactive Learning and Biology project that was developed at the University of Southampton (England) to teach undergraduate cell biology. Topics addressed include authoring tools for hypermedia; a study of undergraduates learning cell motility; student attitudes; and navigation…

Discusses the costs of producing durable educational software in an academic environment and describes an optimized software life cycle that has been implemented at the University of Cambridge (England) Engineering Department. Topics addressed include needs assessment; specifications; program design; implementation and testing; feedback; and…

This article offers guidelines for evaluating and selecting appropriate software for use with gifted children and examines the advantages and limitations of computer-assisted instruction with this population. (DB)

Reviews two multimedia software programs. One allows the user to dissect a frog, the other creates print-based documents such as posters, greeting cards, banners, and calendars. (AEF)

Discusses the use of an asynchronous learning network (ALN) for information and software systems design courses at Drexel University (Pennsylvania). Results indicate that ALN-based education is cost-effective; that students on and off campus find the ALN more convenient and a superb learning environment; and that organization of materials is…

Describes the SAM (Simulation and Multimedia) project and the rationales behind it. SAM focuses mainly on integrated simulation-based learning environments and creates a framework for authoring, modelling, and learning. SAM methods and techniques are developed to design adaptable courses to meet different learner profiles and to integrate…

This study evaluated the effectiveness of a computer-assisted instructional program to teach educational psychology concepts to 19 preservice deaf teachers. The computer modules were based on cognitive learning theory principles. Results indicated significant learning and positive reactions by students to lesson quality. (Author/DB)

Discussion of the use of text analysis software by basic writers in college courses focuses on a study conducted in 1982-83 at Colorado State University that investigated the benefits of using the Writer's Workbench software in a basic writing program. Data are reported on holistically scored writing samples, editing quizzes, and student…

Pretests measuring problem-solving ability were administered to 71 students in a high school mathematics class. One group was given computer-augmented instruction; the other group was given instruction augmented by mathematics laboratory activities. Posttest results for problem-solving ability were mixed, but the group receiving computer-augmented…

Considers the possibility of designing CAI (computer-assisted instruction) systems that are managed by semantic networks. Topics discussed include general descriptions of the suggested approach, lesson-presentation modes, and the architecture of a CAI system managed by a semantic network. (10 references) (MES)

Explores families of parabolas that result from the graphs of quadratic functions. Computer software allows students to quickly depict a series of graphs and make conjectures about emerging patterns. Discusses cases in different parameters in the quadratic are varied to produce different effects in which the parabolas. (MDH)

Discusses changes that have occurred in educational computing since 1983 and considers leadership needs for the future. Hardware and software are discussed; approaches to computers in the curriculum are reviewed; and developmental stages in involving a school district with computer use are explained, including the role of leadership at each stage.…

Discusses audit trails (i.e., records of learner responses) in interactive multimedia and hypermedia instruction. Topics addressed include four purposes of audit trails, including formative evaluation in instructional design, basic research, usage studies, and counseling and advising; advantages and limitations of the audit trail approach; and…