Examination of methods used by two software review services in evaluating microcomputer courseware--EPIE (Educational Products Information Exchange) and MicroSIFT (Microcomputer Software and Information for Teachers)--found low correlations between their recommendations for 82 programs. This lack of agreement casts doubts on the usefulness of…

Preschool children can benefit by working with microcomputers. Thinking skills are enhanced by software games that focus on logic, memory, problem solving, and pattern recognition. Counting, sequencing, and matching games develop mathematics skills, and word games focusing on basic letter symbol and word recognition develop language skills.…

Describes the inadequacies of the current software for computer-based instruction, and presents a framework of instructional components to guide the design of such software. A taxonomy of design considerations is then discussed, including instructional context, strategies, and technical capabilities that can be used to enhance instruction. (4…

Five different levels of instructional videodisc and microcomputer configurations are described and discussed in relation to needs and resources of the special education program. Principles of effective instruction should be applied to the development and utilization of videodisc technology.(Author/DB)

Describes study that evaluated 16 software packages representing all grade levels against 19 criteria based on principles of effective learning and teaching. Implications of the results for the development of effective instructional software and its use are discussed, and the evaluation form used is included in the appendix. (21 references) (LRW)

Discussion of educational software evaluation strategies for effective computer-assisted instruction highlights CLOPPE, a software evaluation form that enables the previewer to analyze the software's objectives and to determine where it can be effectively integrated within the curriculum. The importance of subjective evaluation is emphasized. (28…

A study assessed the effectiveness of a microcomputer-assisted instructional program using graphics, color, and text in simulations to enhance pharmacy students' knowledge of microbiology and antimicrobial agents. Results indicated high short- and long-term retention of information presented and higher levels of knowledge and comprehension among…

Previous work assessing the effectiveness of computers in education has gone no further than acknowledging a network of interconnected variables (comprising a system) which contribute to computer impact and describing its component parts. An impact systems model developed by Glasman and Bibiaminov (1981) has been adapted to facilitate measurement…

Discussion of how palmtop computers were used in an English secondary school over the course of a year focuses on the perceived effectiveness of such computers in an educational setting and on how teachers' and students' knowledge and use of content-free applications increased over time. (Author/LRW)

This study was conducted to document instructional uses of computers at the University of Washington. A telephone survey of 188 faculty who use computers in their courses was used to obtain information about the ways computers are used in instruction, educational objectives for using the computer, evidence that computer use has benefited students,…

Designed to examine the application and cost-effectiveness of computer-assisted instruction (CAI) for secondary education in developing countries, this document is divided into eight chapters. A general introduction defines the research problem, describes the research methodology, and provides definitions of key terms used throughout the paper.…

Discusses keyboarding strategies for elementary school students with learning disabilities using microcomputers. Describes a study that evaluated the efficacy of instruction in systematic scanning against a baseline of no instruction and students' current hunt-and-peck strategy. Repeated measures of typing rates showed no advantages of the…

Describes a learner-centered revision class for undergraduate mathematics students at a Scottish university that used computer-assisted learning (CAL) and added an element of formative evaluation. The Computer Aided Learning in Mathematics (CALM) Project is explained, CALM software is discussed, and their influences on teaching strategies are…

Discusses problems with integrated learning systems (ILSs) in the schools, noting they are still an unproven solution to problems in education plagued by many serious limitations. The article recommends dealing with the fundamental problems of the educational system before investing time and money in ILS. (SM)

This study focuses on the effectiveness of "Solutions Unlimited," a computer software program developed to teach problem solving to middle level students. Fifty-one fourth, fifth, and sixth graders (21 girls and 30 boys) attending a private school in a small mid-west community were the subjects for this experiment; none had received…