This report summarizes the discussions at a seminar which provided the opportunity for 15 researchers and developers from the United Kingdom and other European countries to consider a number of short, medium, and long-term issues and assist in setting an agenda for future phases of research. The specific goals were: (1) to identify the tools…

Discusses the interrelationships of the concepts of adaptability and portability of educational software. A conceptual framework for adaptable educational software is offered, a seven-stage model of adaptation is presented, and the research approach of the USE project in the Netherlands--which is concerned with the development and use of adaptable…

Some practical suggestions for using Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL) are presented to help teachers overcome difficulties with jargon and logistics. They cover selecting hardware, obtaining software (commercial and authoring), organizing resources, training, and implementation. (17 references) (LB)

This paper describes SEF.ASSISTANT, a special software shell for authoring languages to be used in the development of courseware serving computer based education (CBE). The capabilities of SEF.ASSISTANT are identified: (1) it will generate programs written in the IBM SEF.PC authoring language; (2) it is compatible with external standard software…

This paper describes a project which aims to create an authoring environment for simulation-based training in order to illustrate features necessary for: (1) an environment which can be used by teachers/trainers with minimum technical skills; (2) rapid prototyping by all courseware producers; (3) and tools for model building. The paper begins with…

Makes suggestions and forecasts relating to the nature of the developing partnership between teachers, students, and microcomputers and to the development and use of educational software to truly optimize learning in United Kingdom schools. (MBR)

This paper reports the success of using authoring languages on master's degree courses at Manchester University, England. Three different packages are described, including their strengths and weaknesses. The role of such packages in teacher training is also highlighted. (11 references) (JL)

While the improvement of authoring systems and the development of knowledge-based rather than frame-oriented computer assisted instruction (CAI) systems are useful, a significant part of the courseware development problem lies in the inability of teachers (subject matter experts) to prepare material that promotes effective, efficient learning.…

A survey of 173 Canadian modern language departments concerning the extent of computer use for teaching, the kinds of hardware and software used, and instructor and student satisfaction with computer-assisted language instruction is reported. Canadian-developed authoring systems are also discussed. A table of CALL CALL courseware and the…

The five papers in this collection discuss various aspects of the Electronic Learning-Package Factory (ELF) project at the University of Bradford in England. In the first paper, "Adoption of CAL in Higher Education: A Cooperative Approach to Research, Development and Implementation," Philip Barker considers the opportunities for…

Reviews the use of computers to support distance learning in the multimedia teaching system of the British Open University from 1980-90. Topics addressed include hardware, courses using computers, software developments, the move to microcomputers, access, authoring tools, home-based computing, funding, and the outlook for the future. (15…

Thirteen articles that discuss use of computer assisted instruction (CAI) in humanities education specifically cover CAI use in philosophy, musicianship training, rhetoric, foreign language, English as a second language, and writing instruction; CAI authoring systems; videodisc technology; educational history; computer simulations; videodisc…

Describes an interactive hypermedia approach to computer-assisted language learning (CALL) that is being developed in the United Kingdom for second-language learning in higher education. The use of microcomputers and optical storage devices is discussed; software authoring packages are examined; and issues concerning human-computer interface,…

The first of two reports in this document identifies research topics relevant to the introduction of information technology (IT) into schools. A discussion of general issues in IT points out the need for detailed empirical evaluation for the implementation of IT; the need to overcome barriers to innovation; and the need to support and encourage…