Describes study that was carried out at the University of Calgary to determine how elementary school children conceive of computer-related tasks and how this information might be used to generate animated icons for educational software. Child-computer interaction is discussed, and differences in responses between three age groups are examined. (10…

Discusses a unique computer application called interactive art. The technique involves a series of events in which individuals/groups interact with sensors and television monitors hooked up to a central microcomputer. Numerous examples are provided to illustrate that individuals need not be passive in their entertainment, art appreciation, or…

Describes a package of computer programs developed to implement an oil exploration game that gives undergraduate students practical experience in applying theoretical principles of petroleum geology. The programs facilitate management of the game by the instructor and enhance the learning experience. (Author/MBR)

At the University of Delaware student-teacher communication within the classroom was enhanced through the implementation of a versatile, yet cost efficient, application of computer technology. A single microcomputer at a teacher's station controls a network of student keypad/display stations to provide individual channels of continuous…

Introduces five articles in a special journal issue devoted to research about, design of, and use of multimodal interfaces. Article highlights include: algebra instruction; presentation of data summaries; interaction with complex spatial displays (maps); access to computing for the visually impaired; and design for portable devices for use in…

Discusses use of microcomputers for structuring, communicating, and disseminating information under the categories of instructional use (computer-assisted instruction), emancipation (number crunching), revelatory (discovery/simulation), and conjectural (hypothesis testing). Also discusses use of PROLOG language for modeling ecosystems and testing…

Educators are asking about the appropriate role of computers in the classroom, whether computers have a legitimate place in a classroom for young children or will supplant more important activities, and whether children under the age of 8 should use microcomputers. These general questions must be examined in order to discover the real, underlying…

Described are examples of classroom exercises that use interactive graphics software for personal computers to enhance the teaching of statistical concepts by allowing students to generate multiple examples, make conjectures, and verify their findings about the concept. The transfer of this interactive tool to other subject areas is suggested.…

Describes how three different levels of students interacted with three different commercially available robots. Considers the educational value of these devices and provides a list of seven robots (indicating their source, computer compatibility, language, current cost, capabilities, and options). (JN)

This overview of videotex covers three types of systems--teletext, viewdata, and cabletext. Teletext, which stores information as a series of pages which are broadcast along with television pictures for viewing on specially adapted television screens, is characterized as journalistic, and the offerings of three British systems--CEEFAX (BBC),…

Defines cognitive computer tools as software programs that use the control capabilities of computers to amplify, extend, or enhance human cognition; suggests seven ways in which computers can aid learning; and describes the "Learning Tool," a software package for the Apple Macintosh microcomputer that is designed to aid learning of…

Instructional designers who are asked to convert existing training materials into computer-based training (CBT) must take special precautions to avoid making the product into a sophisticated page turner. Although conversion may save considerable time on subject research and analysis, courses to be delivered through microcomputers may require…

Computer networking has made many new activities available to language learners. While these innovations are practical, they are also grounded in theory and justifiable on sound principles of language learning. Computers make possible classroom activities maximizing the benefit drawn from complex and otherwise unmanageable communicative…

Describes a program designed to develop interactive, language-experience-based software to promote functional literacy among illiterate adults. The project uses the microcomputer with language-experience-based software to aid the teacher in providing highly individualized instruction to illiterate learners. (CT)

Describes how the microcomputer is linked to the mainframe computer for effective communication within a business, discusses software packages available to facilitate this connection, and provides information on a new IBM product designed to serve as both a microcomputer and a terminal for a mainframe system. (MBR)