Describes a survey of members of the Educational Software Evaluation Consortium that resulted in a ranked list of 22 criteria used in preparing their annual software preview guide. Noting that content and pedagogical concerns received the highest rankings, the report offers five recommendations for future software development, evaluation, and…

Reviews the potential relationship between visualization and effective instruction. Highlights include the use of graphical user interfaces for enhancing visual communication, integrating visual communication into courseware design, theoretical principles of visual communication, empirical research needs, AIME (amount of invested mental effort),…

Describes a study that examined the effectiveness of 1 configuration of automatic speech recognition software and hardware with 36 3 year olds and a comparison control group of 20 adults. The greater variability of children's speech is discussed; possible system modifications are considered; and future research is suggested. (18 references) (LRW)

Briefly reviews current research on the effectiveness of computer-assisted instruction (CAI) and microcomputers. The Hawthorne Effect and research results for elementary, secondary, and college level students are discussed, courseware requirements are described, and research studies showing positive and negative effects of CAI are listed. (LRW)

This survey of authoring languages that are used in computer-assisted instruction (CAI) highlights recent developments in Macintosh authoring languages and discusses their use in courseware development. CAI effectiveness is defined, advantages and disadvantages of CAI are described, and future research needs are suggested. (27 references) (LRW)

Discusses the effectiveness of classroom trials as a method of providing feedback in the development process for educational software. The impact of formative evaluation on the development of computer-assisted learning (CAL) by a team is discussed, criteria for software selection are described, and steps toward successful implementation are…

Reports the results of a survey of library schools that examined the current use of microcomputers and computer-assisted instruction in the teaching of online searching. The need for a methodology to test the effectiveness of these instructional methods is discussed. (9 references) (CLB)

Discusses the nature of interactive video, its educational use, evidence for its effectiveness, and the design of interactive video courseware. Use by the military and industry is also described, studies comparing video with other instructional methods are reviewed, and areas for further study are suggested. Ninety-four references are provided.…

Examines research on computer-based mathematics learning in the context of constructivist learning and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Standards. The reviewed studies examined the effectiveness of computer software in the three categories of programming, computer-assisted instruction, and mathematical tools. Future research is…

Reviews the literature discussing the effects of instructional software and hardware in elementary and secondary education and reports on recent developments. Topics discussed include criticism of studies on the effects of instructional software; research needs; authoring languages; simulations; intelligent computer-assisted instruction;…

Describes a study that compared animated demonstrations, procedural textual instructions, and demonstrations combined with spoken procedural text to assess the effectiveness of animated demonstrations for users learning HyperCard. Results of accuracy, time on task, user responses, retention, and transfer are discussed; and future research is…

This study examined the effects of an inductive multimedia program, including graphs, on subjects' ability to create linear functions and conceptualize variables from word problems. Subjects were 98 undergraduate students in two sections of a computer literacy course. Students' achievements were assessed via pre- and posttests, which were parallel…