Discusses guidelines for the development of microcomputer-based courseware from the perspective of the teachers. Reserarch from Northern Ireland Schools is presented that highlights software design, courseware development, and teacher education; and seven factors that contribute to teachers' perceptions of good software are described. (21…

Describes studies conducted at a French university to evaluate microcomputer software used in computer assisted instruction. Results of questionnaires completed by a sample of 150 students in beginning computing courses are analyzed to determine how such courseware can be improved, and evaluation versus validation is discussed. (LRW)

Developed for use by students or professionals in education and information or library science seeking national or international resources on computer-assisted instruction, this resource guide is divided into five major sections. The first section includes a glossary of acronyms as well as background information on microcomputers and…

Discusses difficulties in developing manpower, hardware, and evaluation systems for computer-assisted instruction (CAI) in Taiwan. Highlights include the use of CAI in universities, secondary schools, and government agencies; a national project including personnel training, courseware development, and evaluation; and difficulties with computer…

Reviews a criterion-based evaluation of educational software at York University, Ontario, using the York Educational Software Evaluation Scales (YESES). Concern over the quality of available courseware is expressed, and the response of students and teachers is highlighted as the most important criterion for evaluation. (LRW)

Describes methods used to evaluate software for microcomputers in Japanese elementary and middle schools. Completion of an evaluation checklist by experienced teachers is described, the cluster analysis used is reviewed, and characteristics of available software are discussed and analyzed to assess their learning and teaching efficiency.…

Reports results of a survey of the use of computers in Canadian elementary school classrooms. Questionnaires and interviews were used to determine the availability of hardware and software, teachers' backgrounds, student access to computers, and teachers' perceptions on the role of computer-assisted learning. (LRW)

Reviews trends in computer assisted instruction (CAI) in Japan, focusing on authoring languages and mathematical model-based courseware development. The scale of personal computer use and types of courseware used in elementary and junior high schools is described, and an example of an intelligent CAI system is given. (Author/LRW)

Describes a computer simulation game and database package, "Palestine in the First Century," developed for upper primary and secondary school religious education in Scotland and designed for use on a microcomputer with a printer. The effect of this type of software on the role of teachers and students is considered. (Author/LRW)

Discussion of educational applications of new information technologies in Japan highlights the use of microcomputers. Surveys of elementary and secondary schools are reported; inservice teacher training is described; and government involvement in educational policy is discussed, focusing on two appended reports on microcomputers and software…

This paper first provides a brief overview of the Italian educational system and the diffusion of computer-assisted instruction (CAI) within the schools and industry, and then it reviews the activities of the Laboratory of Interactive Educational Technologies (LIET) in the Department of Production Engineering at the University of Naples (Italy).…

Discussion of problems encountered in educational software development in Japan is the second of a two-part series on evaluation of Japanese microcomputer-based software. Problems associated with content, learner attitude, and graphics presentation are described, and future challenges in simulation and integrating courseware with other teaching…

Describes the Microelectronics Education Programme (MEP), a plan developed to help British secondary school students learn about microcomputers and the role of technology in society, and its successor, the Microelectronics Support Unit (MESU). Highlights include curriculum development, teacher training, computer assisted instruction and the…

Reports the development of a classification system for microcomputer-based software according to the depth and type of involvement of the user with the software. Three studies are discussed that used the facet approach, multivariate statistical procedures, and questionnaires to investigate types of involvement produced by computer programs. (18…