Discusses procedures for selecting software to be used in the vocational education classroom, provides an instrument for evaluating application software and a discussion of its uses, and enumerates research questions regarding the use of application software. (JOW)

This self-training package is designed to help microcomputer users select appropriate and efficient educational software packages by using a software evaluation system. It is mainly designed for school teachers and parents. The system consists of a Criteria Rating Form (CRF) and a personal evaluation. The CRF--a five-point scale from excellent to…

Designed to complement the manual, "Evaluation of Educational Software: A Guide to Guides," which provides an overview of 10 different models of microcomputer courseware evaluation instruments, this 5-section workshop guide outlines an approach to using the evaluation materials in a hands-on workshop setting. Session notes, reproducible…

The five papers in this collection examine the existing trends in the use of microcomputers in educational planning and management. In the first paper, "Reflexions sur l'Ordre du Jour" (French), Michel Saint-Germain addresses contextual factors surrounding the use of computers, priorities that must be accounted for before developing new…

A survey of 287 staff developers was conducted during October 1986 to gather information on the use of computers in staff development offices. Questionnaires were mailed to every fifth member of the National Staff Development Council; 92 completed instruments were returned within one month for a return rate of 32%. Areas covered by the survey…

Microcomputers can be used with simulation software to provide students both with experience in the "real world" of decision making and feedback on the decisions made. Such software allows individual students to choose the roles they wish to play from a menu of diverse roles and provides alternatives for them to consider for each decision to be…

In summer 1984, a study was conducted to assess the status of microcomputer applications in the public vocational-technical facilities of Michigan, Indiana, Minnesota, Illinois, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Mailing lists provided by the vocational education divisions of each state department of education were used to survey 705 individuals regarding…

This checklist provides guidance on how to measure adequacy of control and security of computer systems, identifies areas of risk, raises management and user awareness of their stewardship responsibilities, and reviews issues relative to system documentation, maintenance, integrity, and reliability. (MBR)

This guide discusses three critical steps in selecting microcomputer software and hardware: setting the context, software evaluation, and managing microcomputer use. Specific topics addressed include: (1) conducting an informal task analysis to determine how the potential user's time is spent; (2) identifying tasks amenable to computerization and…

Describes Cataloging in Publication (CIP), a cooperative program begun in 1971, whose partners are the Library of Congress (LC) and approximately 2,000 U.S. publishers. Why publishers participate and use of program by school libraries are discussed. Questionnaire for school librarians concerning provision of CIP cataloging for microcomputer…

Outlines evaluation criteria that may be used to determine the usefulness of science education computer software. Factors to be considered are identified as the nature of the investigation, advantages of the program over a laboratory investigation, number and types of higher order thinking skills required, concepts related to inquiry, and the…

A national survey of desktop computing in higher education was conducted in 1991 of 2500 institutions. Data were responses from public and private research universities, public and private four-year colleges, and community colleges. Respondents (N=1099) were individuals specifically responsible for the operation and future direction of academic…

A national survey of desktop computing in higher education was conducted in 1992 of 2500 institutions. Data were responses from public and private research universities, public and private four-year colleges, and community colleges. Respondents (N=970) were individuals specifically responsible for the operation and future direction of academic…

A survey was conducted to determine the extent to which public libraries have made computer hardware and software available to their patrons. In December 1984, questionnaires were distributed to a stratified national probability sample of 900 public library systems. Results, based on a response rate of 99%, indicate that: (1) 42% of the systems…

A survey instrument was designed and administered to obtain a broad base of information concerning the presence of computers and computer literacy classes in public libraries in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Minnesota. The results indicate that 50.8% of the 100 libraries that responded to the survey (80.6% of the original random sample) have public…