Describes the development of "Europe in the Round," a CD-ROM that was designed to test the hypothesis that a combination of hypertext with mass storage would make a powerful learning tool. Screen design is discussed, including universal icons and visual effects, and field testing is described. (five references) (LRW)

Makes a case for the production of printed subject indexes and describes the MICROSPI package, which allows the production of NEPHIS (NEsted PHrase Indexing System) and KWAC (Key Word And Context) indexes on a microcomputer. (Author/MBR)

Representatives of six vendors of online library systems address key issues related to system performance: designing, configuring and sizing systems; establishing performance criteria; using benchmark and acceptance tests; the risks of miscalculations; vendor, consultant, and library roles; and related topics. (Author/EM)

Five library consultants address issues that affect online system performance: options in system design that relate to diverse library requirements; criteria that most affect performance; benchmark tests and sizing criteria; minimalizing the risks of miscalculation; and the roles and responsibilities of vendors, libraries, and consultants.…

Discusses evolution and construction of a computer program for use by speech pathologists which permits inexperienced computer operators to generate extensive diagnostic reports and in-depth therapy programs for students with speech defects. The discussion traces program design from inception to final formulation reviewing the prototype, problems,…

The goal of this project was to develop an inexpensive, self-contained system of hardware and software to support the development, administration, and evaluation of computerized adaptive tests. Toward that goal, commercial hardware was selected and a comprehensive software called the MicroCAT Testing System was developed. The MicroCAT system was…

Describes a study conducted to determine prevalence of educational software field testing by producers, number of teachers and students participating, evaluation criteria used, whether documentation includes field test results, field test value, and other evaluation methods utilized during product development. Textbook versus software evaluation,…

Discusses highlights of a literature review on guidelines for formative evaluation of courseware and the development of a formative evaluation instrument by the Kanata High Technology Training Association (Ottawa). The eight dimensions of the resultant questionnaire are listed and a copy of the evaluation instrument is included. (MBR)

Describes the Answer Machine, a microcomputer system which uses the EasyNet software to provide a gateway to more than 900 online databanks. Topics covered include: (1) system features; (2) costs; (3) experiences and results of a user questionnaire at a test site at the University of Pennsylvania; and (4) benefits for libraries. (MES)

Documents early efforts of the four units of Electronic Text Consortium as they investigated uses of electronic text in higher education. The University of Wisconsin Extension's creation and implementation of electronic text products are described, and the practical issues illuminated by this project are discussed. (MBR)

Discussion of the evaluation of educational software highlights two evaluation methods: (1) the York Educational Software Evaluation Scales (YESES), a criterion-based evaluation, and (2) a field-testing approach developed at York University. Guidelines for the field-testing approach include an emphasis on the observation of students. (22…

The purpose of the project was to develop computer games that could be used by students in grades 1-4 as part of their mathematics instruction. Eight games were developed, covering a wide variety of mathematical topics, including number/numeration, computation, geometry, measurement, statistics, and probability. The games were field tested in 20…

Effective individualized learning continues to be the primary educational goal of small-rural schools. Three thrusts towards individualized learning--non-graded instruction, an emphasis on basic skills, and socially relevant education--can be enhanced by instructional computing, the use of microcomputers to facilitate learning. However, most…

Discusses the development and field testing of a prototype genetics tutor program for microcomputers written in Turbo Pascal. A preliminary field test with undergraduates is described that was used as formative evaluation, and suggestions are given for designing a more effective tutor that uses additional intelligent computer-assisted instruction…

Describes field test findings of a project funded by the Minnesota Educational Computing Consortium and the Rockefeller Family Fund to demonstrate that microcomputers and home videodisc players can deliver instruction to students. Basic research questions and field testing procedures for a high school economics course are provided. (MBR)