This guide contains a list of commercially available microcomputer software programs for instructional use in preschool through grade 12 that has been favorably reviewed by the Educational Software Evaluation Consortium, which represents 29 organizations involved in computer education throughout North America. Only commercially available software…

This guide lists favorably reviewed microcomputer software for K-12 student instruction. It is not intended for use as a buying guide, but as an aid to educators in locating commercially available software they may want to preview to determine its suitability for their instructional program and students. Each annual edition of this guide is an…

Designed to assist the educator in making informed decisions about the quality and selection of instructional microcomputer software, this annotated bibliography examines literature dealing with the need for software evaluation, evaluation criteria, and the effectiveness of computer-assisted instruction. Introductory materials provide a brief…

Describes a computer-assisted instructional (CAI) program to accompany a 15-week, college-level, introductory lecture course on the scientific principles of mammalian nutrition. The nature of the program is discussed, and examples of how it operates are provided. Comments on the evaluation of the program are also provided. (JN)

A study of microcomputer courseware reviews was carried out in order to discover which criteria they discuss, whether reviewers agree in their assessments, how evaluative the reviews are, and whether the reviewing policy of the journal influences the review. The content analysis instrument was a composite of criteria developed by organizations…

This microcomputer courseware evaluation form and guide are intended for vocational and technical educators who determine the quality of courseware, professional reviewers who conduct and publish reviews of courseware, and developers who seek to produce high quality courseware for vocational and technical education. The guide includes a brief…

Examines computer software currently available with most introductory economics textbooks. Compares what is available with what should be available in order to meet the goal of effectively using the microcomputer to teach economic principles. Recommends 14 specific pedagogical changes that should be made in order to improve current designs. (LS)

Arguing that educators may be facing their greatest challenge in decades as they seek to integrate critical thinking techniques into the computer-assisted instruction (CAI) environment, this paper discusses the crucial importance of critical thinking and explores some potential adverse effects of CAI in this area. A brief historic overview of…

This paper summarizes the state of instructional software being produced by commercial sources in the United States as of late 1984, and reports some of the trends which led up to that state. After a brief background synopsis and description of the procedure used to obtain information, the document discusses such topics as: amount of software…

The two studies established an empirically derived set of guidelines for producing and evaluating microcomputer courseware for students with learning disabilities. About 100 teachers of learning disabled students in Pennsylvania and Virginia participated in field testing the guidelines. The first study was conducted in four steps: first,…

A computer-assisted instructional program, which was developed for teaching beginning computer maintenance to employees of Unisys, covered external hardware maintenance, proper diskette care, making software backups, and electro-static discharge prevention. The procedure used in developing the program was based upon the Dick and Carey (1985) model…

This paper discusses the types of computer software that are most effective in a classroom. Detailed descriptions are given of: (1) drill and practice programs; (2) tutorials; (3) simulations; and (4) games and problem-solving software. The effectiveness of each is discussed as well as the characteristics of a good program of its genre. An example…

This courseware evaluation rates the "Microcomputer Applications in Vocational Education: Home Economics" program developed by the Illinois State Board of Education. (This series of programs--not contained in this document--includes interior decorating estimating, pounds away program, decision analysis, fiber care, clothing figure…

A project was conducted to design a system for evaluating microcomputer courseware for vocational and technical education. Through a literature review and contacts with organizations and individuals involved in courseware evaluation and use, project staff identified and acquired for review documents pertaining to courseware evaulation, vocational…

This software resource directory is designed for use by teachers in the Vocational Improvement Programs (VIP)/Liaison in Kentucky who work with secondary special needs learners enrolled in a vocational education program. Section A contains a literature review of available information as it relates to microcomputers, education, and special needs…