Evaluates five courseware packages covering the topics of Newton's laws and seven courseware packages for work, energy, momentum, and conservation laws. Discusses the price, sub-topics, program type, interaction, time, calculus required, graphics, and comments of each courseware. Selects some packages based on the criteria. (YP)

Reviews instructional design techniques that are suggested for improving the quality and effectiveness of educational software. Three areas of instructional design are addressed: (1) instructional strategies, including provision, examples and active feedback; (2) screen display, including text style variety; and (3) human factors, including…

A consumer-oriented model for evaluating instructional software, which would provide educators with a comprehensive outline for evaluating educational products for purchase and implementation, is proposed. Six components of such an evaluation include program characteristics, rationale and specific objectives, content, instructional format and…

The properties of German as a special language of mechanical engineering are examined on the basis of a newly compiled corpus including samples from all important disciplines and discourse styles. The syntactic, semantic, and pragmatic aspects of passive voice are the chief research goal. (Contains five references.) (Author/LB)

Examines implications from cognitive psychology which are important for the design of microcomputer-based instructional simulations. Topics addressed include cognitive structure, including schemata and mental models; cognitive and metacognitive strategies; automaticity of cognitive processes; and affect, or the motivational appeal. (Contains 86…

Reports on the results of a survey of software publishers and market researchers for educators that was conducted to determine development, purchasing, and upgrading plans for educational computer technology. Highlights include operating systems, including Macintosh, DOS, and Windows; equipment needs, including memory, monitors, and special…

Describes a study of middle school students' use of educational software that was conducted to determine whether it was being used as intended. Popular programs used by girls and by boys are described and compared, particularly "Oregon Trail," and use as entertainment instead of education is discussed. (Contains three references.) (LRW)

Describes "Kid Cuts," an arts and crafts computer software program for students in prekindergarten through sixth grade that provides 22 activities in 6 curriculum areas. An example is given of an activity for kindergarten and first graders related to counting that includes library media skills objectives and mathematics objectives. (LRW)

Examines the need to match teaching processes to cognitive aspects of learning and motivational dynamics of learners within the context of computer assisted instruction (CAI). Discusses how theories and empirical findings of research on motivation can be integrated in a formal model in order to describe and predict motivation within the framework…

Describes the Hypertutor Model, a message design framework for interactive instructional systems that emphasizes learner control, presentation, practice, feedback, and learning resources. Problems with software designed for computer assisted instruction are examined; hypertutor systems are discussed; and MegaMentor, a hypertutor system at the…

Discusses the use of computer-assisted learning in medical education and describes the design and construction of a program on sexually transmitted diseases by a subject specialist using StackMaker, a hypermedia authoring environment. Authoring tools are described, the authoring process is reviewed, and sample screens are provided. (16 references)…

Describes desktop video production that can be used for educational and/or training needs. Recent trends in video communication are examined; desktop analog video production and relevant production products are described; and the future possibilities of desktop digital video production are considered, including digital image compression. (two…

Discussion of new technological resources available for science instruction focuses on the use of the HyperCard software for the Macintosh to design customized materials. Topics addressed include general features of HyperCard, designing HyperCard stacks, graphics, and designing buttons (i.e., links for moving through the stacks). Several sample…

Discusses issues involved with buying and using multimedia authoring programs. Six programs are compared: (1) MediaText, (2) HyperCard, (3) LinkWay Live!, (4) AmigaVision, (5) Director, and (6) Multimedia Desktop. Highlights include the use of multimedia in education, sequential versus hierarchical organization, price, system requirements, digital…

Discusses the Computers in Teaching Initiative Centre for Geography (CTICG), part of a network of 21 subject-based centers in the United Kingdom, intended to promote computer-assisted learning in higher education. Examines courseware sources and suggests developing a database of available software or a distribution service. Lists CTICG's aims in…