Presents an overview of educational computing for the nonspecialist classroom teacher. Describes computer-assisted instruction and reviews recent technological developments in the field. Predicts increasingly creative and efficient use of computers and software by teachers and students in all humanities disciplines. (CFR)

This report examines the effects of technological change on Arizona's Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) and assesses changes and progress made since the publication of MCCCD's Master Plan for Instructional Computing in 1986. The first section views constant change in computer technology as a running stream and examines the need…

Evaluators of software for education must make a series of decisions about which issues have a direct impact on their choice of software. Instructional context analysis is the first step, including identifying the learners, the instructor, the learning environment, and technical needs and limitations. The next step is instructional goal analysis;…

When integrated appropriately into the curriculum, technology can support the achievement of specific learning outcomes. To help newcomers to technology, the paper lists professional journals, technology organizations, and quality software and multimedia catalogs and presents a list of strategies teachers can use to evaluate whether technology can…

This paper presents a brief synopsis of recent trends in moral education and suggests ways in which a blending of idea and product technologies can promote the development of four specific moral sentiments: sympathy, duty, fairness, and self-control. Four integrated strategies that teacher educators can use to help preservice and inservice…

This report summarizes 219 educational technology research reviews and reports from 1990-1997, from both published and unpublished sources. The report provides software developers and publishers with research that will enable them to improve educational technology. It can also help educators make effective decisions as they attempt to incorporate…

Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs) are learning management software systems that synthesize the functionality of computer-mediated communications software and online methods of delivering course materials. This report focuses on how to evaluate the properties, capabilities and orientation of different systems from an educational perspective, and…

Reviews children's software packages: (1) "Fun 'N Games"--nonviolent games and activities; (2) "Putt-Putt Saves the Zoo"--matching, logic games, and animal facts; (3) "Big Job"--12 logic games with video from job sites; (4) "JumpStart First Grade"--15 activities introducing typical school lessons; and (5) "Read, Write, & Type!"--progressively…

Recommends and describes specific software programs for children based on a review of 1800 titles. Includes recommendations for preschoolers in the areas of language, math, logic, science, art, creativity, and all-purpose. Presents choices for early elementary students including reading, writing, math, logic, science, social studies, creativity,…

Addresses usability issues pertaining to the purpose of educational software, followed by suggestions for ways in which educational software can meet the language, physical, social, and cognitive needs of children. Guidelines and recommendations are provided for adapting usability engineering and testing procedures to educational software to…

The article addresses advances in speech and language assessment through the use of technology. Discussed are the large amounts of accurate diagnostic information that software can generate and the use of microcomputers in data interpretation. Categories of assessment software (phonological analysis and language sample analysis) are considered and…

A guide to various instructional technology (IT) approaches is aimed at modern language teachers who are just beginning to integrate IT into their methodology. Hints and suggestions are given about what questions to ask when acquiring a computer and buying software and how to avoid some problems. Chapters include the following: (1) Why should I?;…

This document is a report of a two-year effort by Duke University Press to make National Collegiate Software (NCS), a clearinghouse for faculty-authored liberal arts software for classroom use, a viable, scholastically respectable, self-supporting operation. NCS initially had been operated by North Carolina State University. When Duke University…

In school districts throughout the country, computer literacy is considered a top educational goal, however, too few administrators, teachers, and parents understand what the term really means. The computer plays two roles in schools: information resource--as a complement to books, magazines, video, and other media; and self-contained teaching…

Provides an overview of the technology-integration process for K-12 schools. Discusses the practical implications for implementing technology, and the importance of focusing the planning process and providing staff development. Presents software and hardware issues, and reviews studies related to the implementation and use of technology. (AEF)