This Digest points out characteristics of quality computer software for children, describes different kinds of software, and suggests ways to get software for preview. The need to consider the purpose for which the software is to be used and the degree to which the software meets its stated goals is noted. Desirable software characteristics and…

Studied for its effects on the reading fluency of elementary school students, R. C. Heckleman's Neurological Impress Method has proved an inexpensive but effective method for motivating low achievement readers. Twenty-six subjects from grades 2 to 6 practiced reading in unison with a tutor during four 15-minute sessions a week. During the sessions…

Research on structural learning theory is reviewed as a base for designing computer-assisted instruction programs. An intelligent "Rule Tutor" emphasizing diagnosis and remediation for whole number concepts is described. (MNS)

A practicum addressing (1) elementary school students' need to increase their sight vocabulary, (2) their needs for self-esteem, (3) their individual learning differences, and (4) the practical difficulties of providing additional practice time and personnel to teach is described in this guide. The introduction of the guide discusses the community…

IBM LinkWay is an example of a hypertext and hypermedia authoring system. This paper summarizes a workshop presentation that demonstrates how to create a mathematics tutorial using LinkWay. An introduction discusses the guidelines for the tutorial. The guidelines consider the presentation of questions, help features for the students, feedback,…

If schools improved the academic performance of at-risk students beginning in the early years and continuing through the elementary grades, this improvement would have multiple positive effects on student dropout, delinquency, pregnancy, substance abuse, and other behaviors. Early improvement of poor academic performance could greatly alleviate…

A thematic teaching program and portfolio assessment were used to maintain basic academic language arts and mathematics skills during the summer for 21 elementary students placed in residential foster care settings as victims of physical and/or sexual abuse. All activities were designed around the selected theme of a safari. Students listened to…

The "Preparing Elementary Teachers to Teach Mathematics (PETTM) Project" (1988-1991) was a cooperative university/school effort to improve the teaching of mathematics by elementary teachers with its primary focus on improving the university training of preservice teachers (PSTs) in mathematics. This document, volume III of the project's 5-volume…

The handbook for tutors in the Highline Indian Tutoring Program (Seattle, Washington) provides guidelines for high school and college student tutors, to help them develop a personal, helping relationship with, and provide academic assistance in math and reading to, Native American elementary students. The introduction gives general guidelines for…