Teachers from four school systems set up their own computer centers from scratch. Each center is tailored to the needs and resources of the school or schools involved. The centers range from a one-machine operation in the corner of a resource room to a laboratory with 18 microcomputers. (PP)

Describes implementation of a word processor in an elementary school, focusing on instructional strategies used with learning-disabled students aged 7-13. Objectives, materials, activities, evaluation, and rewards are summarized for six modules covering hardware, disk care, software, initializing and saving on disk, word processing modes, and…

Elementary school children need hands-on experiences to understand science concepts. Computers can be used to store and analyze data collected by students, but educators seem to agree that students need to manipulate data themselves to really comprehend their discoveries. (DF)

A third grade class served as subjects of this study on the use of paired keyboards attached to a single microcomputer as a means to facilitate Internet exploration. A collaborative environment resulted, where students could benefit from the scaffolding provided by computer and Internet resources. (AEF)

Describes the Monthly Data Grapher, a microcomputer program which helps visualize data to discern patterns and which is suitable for use with elementary school children. Some of its uses are noted and the microcomputer program itself is included. (MBR)

Describes how technology helped one elementary teacher meet the needs and celebrate the strengths of all his students in a mixed-ability-grouped, student-centered classroom. Technology allowed the children many more choices for different kinds of learning and helped them develop their individual strengths. (SM)

Presents suggestions to help elementary teachers organize learning centers and activities around the themes of Peter Rabbit (Grade 1), weather (Grade 3), and bees (Grade 5). Suggestions are given for activities in centers for listening/reading, language arts, computers, math, science, cooperative learning, research, and writing. (SM)

Describes a computer curriculum for 7- to 12-year-old children which is designed to integrate the computer into multiple subject areas and stimulate the development and sharpening of critical-thinking skills. The course is divided into eight conceptual units, each containing educational computer games or simulations and some related off-line…

Eleven learning-handicapped students (ages 8-13) worked in dyads during a microcomputer-based writing activity, and their behaviors were coded as initiations/responses, verbal/nonverbal. Overall, student interactions had a negative impact on story production. Students exhibited higher levels of assertive, demanding behavior than requests for peer…

Two versions, via microcomputer, of the Test of Written Spelling were administered to underachieving students from a regular third-grade class and from an upper-grade, self-contained class for learning handicapped (LH) students. Results indicated that students took less time and spelled more words correctly on the standard written version.…

Based on observation, interviews, and questionnaires, the first section of this paper discusses lessons learned while watching teachers use the first set of "The Voyage of the Mini" materials (a video, computer, and print package). The focus is on the need to create an environment that will support an inquiry-based curriculum. The second section…

The field of instructional technology is characterized by its products, such as instructional media, and its processes, such as instructional design. The process of instructional technology has been shaped by advances in learning and instructional theory over the past 50 years. Much of the development work of the field to date has been on direct…

Discusses classroom organization and management techniques for using Logo in an elementary school classroom, including computer placement, daily scheduling, utilization of resource charts for questions on computer use, and student use of diskettes for keeping track of their computer accomplishments. A rationale for choosing Logo is also provided.…

Describes a study of fifth and sixth graders that investigated the effects of cooperative training and ability grouping on microcomputer learning. Results on four measures of achievement did not support the use of cooperative learning or ability grouping to enhance achievement in computer-assisted instruction. (Author/LRW)

The Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) program uses microcomputers to help high risk students master basic thinking processes, grasp course content, and apply learned information in various problem-solving situations. Specifically, HOTS aids students with metacognition, inference from context, and generalization skills. It also improves…