Parent guidelines for selecting appropriate software for three- to five-year-olds address trying the software out, what to look for, and what to expect. Evaluation criteria cover appropriate vocabulary level, individual needs, child involvement, target audience, creative presentation, and useful feedback. (CB)

Reprinted from "The Computing Teacher," this document contains software reviews for 23 computer programs that educators could use in the classroom or for administrative purposes. Each review describes the program by listing the program title, subject, producer, grade level (if applicable), hardware required, cost, and reviewer's name and…

Examination of issues involved in acquiring appropriate microcomputer software for higher education focuses on the following points: developing your own software; finding commercially available software; using published evaluations; pre-purchase testing; customizing and adapting commercial software; post-purchase testing; and software use. A…

Reprinted from the "The Computing Teacher," this collection of nine articles presents information on computer software selection and evaluation. The articles include: (1) "The DISC Model for Software Evaluation and Support Material Design" (Shelley Yorke Rose and Carol Klenow); (2) "Selecting Computer Software--We Take It…

Reviews options for training individuals to use microcomputers (courses and workshops, books/media packages, software producer documentation, and computer disk-based training) and discusses the evaluation of training packages, including instructional design and technical considerations. A selective list of companies that provide training is…

Guidelines to help music teachers evaluate computer software for classroom use are presented. An annotated listing of critical reviews of music education computer software is also included. (RM)

A suggested list of categories is presented to be used in the evaluation of adult-oriented computer software. These categories include instructional range of the program, program execution time, whether or not ancillary materials are available for the software, identifying software use, self-pacing programs, performance-oriented programs, and…

Describes the results of a research project that tested computer assisted language teaching/learning programs in everyday classroom situations. The evaluative principles and the selection of the programs evaluated are discussed, and the applied techniques borrowed from cognitive psychology in the evaluation of text manipulation programs of the…

This collection of reprints from The Computing Teacher contains 11 articles on the selection, evaluation, and organization of software published between August 1983 and March 1986, as well as more than 20 reviews of educational software packages published between December 1982 and June 1986. The articles are: (1) "The New Wave of Educational…

Fourth in a series of six monographs on the use of new technologies in the instruction of learning disabled (LD) students, this paper explores issues related to the evaluation and selection of instructional software for LD students. Topics discussed include the following: (1) criteria for instructionally useful software (e.g., flexibility and…

Discusses current assumptions about what constitutes excellence in software for reading and writing instruction by describing commonly accepted guidelines and arguing that evaluation criteria focuses mainly on technical rather than on learning and educational issues. A priori questions emphasizing learning issues are proposed to strengthen…

This handbook for computer-assisted instruction in English as a Second Language (ESL) is designed to guide teachers unfamiliar with computer hardware and software through the basic procedures of using the Apple IIe system and ESL software. The handbook begins with introductory sections on the growth of microcomputer use in schools, the advantages…

Discusses areas affecting instructional material selection (district educational policy, curriculum, student and teacher characteristics, and community concerns); describes phases of the material selection process (screening materials, matching materials to needs, and decision making); and applies this conceptual scheme to selection of basal…

This discussion provides an overview of the kinds of technological resources available to support language learning and of various approaches to using them, and explores some issues surrounding the trend. Topics considered include efficacy, availability, computer-mediated technologies, software acquisition and content, material evaluation,…

A survey of teacher education programs in Ohio examined the content and methods of instructional media and technology courses. Discusses topics that should be included in a basic instructional media course: production techniques, technology integration, use and maintenance of audiovisual equipment, selection and evaluation of media materials,…