The presentation describes PILOT (Programmed Inquiry, Learning or Teaching), a special programing language easy for beginners to learn and available for several brands of microcomputers. PILOT is explained to contain substantially fewer commands than most other languages and to be written in an easy to understand manner. Edit commands and their…

The author reviews the history of the microcomputer and addresses its application needs in special education. Among needs cited are the ability to store and retrieve curriculum resource information and to develop diagnostic testing and automated test construction reporting devices. He also sees the need for software that is neither threatening nor…

The article reviews the importance of computer assisted instruction for hearing impaired students and suggests four criteria for identifying appropriate applications for the microcomputer: purposes of the application, role of the computer in instruction, appropriate software, and effectiveness. (Author/CL)

The article discusses the flexibility of microcomputers in special education and presents answers to questions asked by parents and teachers on such aspects as needed training, quality of educational software, and guidelines for purchasing. A list of 25 sources of instructional courseware is included. (CL)

Seven factors concerning the marketability of special education computer software are reviewed: proliferation of computers in the schools, distribution patterns, consumer demand, quality of the product, the ability to use the material over time without revision, focus on basic skill development, and the effects of future trends. (CL)

The article reviews the development of computer applications to the instruction of gifted and talented children; considers cognitive and affective benefits; and suggests possibilities of noninstructional benefits as enhancing relationships between students and teachers, identifying gifted students, and developing behavioral objectives. (CL)

Contends that computer software development has fallen far behind progress in hardware development. Explains how to evaluate courseware critically. (Author/JM)

Argues against using prepared computer programs for school instruction and proposes PASCAL as the most instructionally apt choice for a first computer language. Includes tips on resources for teacher training and textbooks in PASCAL. (JW)

The purchase of computer software must come before the purchase of hardware. Otherwise school people may watch an excellent computer collect dust while they search in vain for software that fills their needs. (Author/JM)

The paper indicates major features of microcomputer systems and suggests limitations of the current microcomputer systems for special education applications. Many questions about the effectiveness of computer assisted instruction with special populations remain. Teachers must become computer literate, knowledgeable in instructional classroom…

The Hearing Impaired Program of Township High School District 214, Mt. Prospect, Illinois, provides comprehensive computer services to students and staff through computer assisted instruction and computer programing instruction, vocational experiences, and administrative systems for supervisors and staff. (Author/CL)

The article examines the history of computer assisted instruction (CAI), compares the beginnings of television with the beginnings of microcomputers, and examines the components of CAI (drill and practice, tutoring, instructional games, simulation, problem solving, demonstration, and mini-programs). Issues such as compatability and effects on…

B. F. Skinner provides advice for educators on several issues related to computer-assisted instruction (CAI). Some pitfalls of programed instruction in the 1960s which CAI may also face today, aversive control, courseware design, and use of computer graphics are among the areas explored. (JN)

SuperPILOT is Apple Computer's new computer assisted instruction authoring language. Provided is a review of SuperPILOT, indicated to be ideally suited for the development of interactive tutorials for the classroom. Includes comments on the language's strengths/weaknesses as well as comments on system requirements and special program features. (JN)

Discusses various topics related to incorporating microcomputer technology in the classroom. Areas addressed include: computer-assisted instruction; Skinnerian/Piagetian approaches; Logo and problem-solving; nested interpretation; and software evaluation. Listings of demonstration programs (Atari) are included. (JN)