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…

Discusses highlights of a literature review on guidelines for formative evaluation of courseware and the development of a formative evaluation instrument by the Kanata High Technology Training Association (Ottawa). The eight dimensions of the resultant questionnaire are listed and a copy of the evaluation instrument is included. (MBR)

Discusses the use of microcomputer applications software in education, reviews the literature involving studies on the development of problem-solving skills and on the instructional use of spreadsheets, and describes a project for secondary school students using spreadsheets that provides cognitive support. (Contains 35 references.) (LRW)

This survey of authoring languages that are used in computer-assisted instruction (CAI) highlights recent developments in Macintosh authoring languages and discusses their use in courseware development. CAI effectiveness is defined, advantages and disadvantages of CAI are described, and future research needs are suggested. (27 references) (LRW)

A study of the effects of microcomputer use in classrooms and homes on the growth of school-readiness skills of kindergartners used pre- and posttested experimental and control groups to assess reading readiness, mathematics readiness, Piagetian operations, and keyboard knowledge. Teacher implementation strategies and techniques used by nonreaders…

Describes study that was conducted to determine whether four- and five-year-old preschoolers could be taught reading skills with computer-assisted instruction, and whether they could learn basic computer literacy skills without direct instruction and drill. Software is described, and the pretest/posttest single group design is explained. (16…

Describes a study of second graders that was conducted to investigate the use of microcomputer-based software to teach line graph production and interpretation. Abstract concepts between time and distance relationships are discussed, and transfer of skills to other types of graphs on paper are examined. (LRW)

The purpose of this pilot study was to determine the contributions of computerized health risk appraisal when used as a supplement to the traditional methods of health instruction. Subjects were a convenience sample of 26 students enrolled in a university level, personal health course. Using a one group pretest posttest design, these subjects were…

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of replacing multiple-choice and short-answer questions in programmed tutorial courseware practice interactions with learner-generated summaries on three types of verbal information learning outcomes. The study was designed to empirically investigate the claim that the level of mental processing…

Presents a theoretical rationale for the idea that computer programs simulating written conversation, and using natural language, could be effective in language teaching and remediation, and reports empirical studies of its potential. Studies with 10- to 14-year-old language-impaired children are described, software is explained, and future…

A comparison of the performance of two groups of third grade students practicing division problems is used to assess the effect of a commercial computer-assisted instruction drill program on learning. The progress of the experimental group (using computers) is compared with that of a group using conventional print drill practice. (20 references)…

The effects of microcomputer use on preschoolers' knowledge of pre-reading concepts and attitudes toward microcomputers were investigated. Seventy-seven preschoolers were randomly assigned to three treatment conditions: (1) adult-assisted microcomputer instruction; (2) unassisted microcomputer use; and (3) no computer use. Analysis of pretest…

Examines the effects of systematic use of computers for the management of mathematics instruction upon mathematics performance in the elementary school. A model system for using computers to manage instruction within a student-paced, mastery-learning format is described, and treatments for the experimental and control groups are explained.…

Discussion of the use of color in microcomputer-based educational software focuses on a study of Israeli ninth graders that examined the differential effects of three color treatments on the learning of geometric concepts by students with differential aptitudes. Hypotheses tested are described and results are analyzed. (28 references) (Author/LRW)

Discussion of high school dropouts highlights the development of a computer learning laboratory that was used with at-risk high school students. The assessment of students' skills in language and reading is described, software that focused on these areas is discussed, and the results of pretests and posttests is reported. (Seven references) (LRW)