This fact sheet covers the possible uses of microcomputers in second language classrooms, addressing skills needed by instructors, types and uses of the available software, steps for program implementation and future applications. Published resources which can aid second language teachers in locating and evaluating applicable courseware,…

Examines the impact of new forms of communication technology on our concepts of literacy and literacies, particularly in relation to personal computer use, and argues that the unique quality of hypertext structure underlying computer-mediated communication, asynchronous and nonlinear, challenges many accepted notions of the nature and structure of…

An overview is presented of some major areas of interest, including contrasts between older terminal-based and newer microcomputer-based systems, quality and sophistication of ready-to-use and authoring software, and advanced technology. Three directions for development and problem resolution are outlined. (Author/MSE)

The 54 conference papers and abstracts on the possible role of computers in the world of education in the Republic of South Africa which are presented in this volume are published under the sections and in the order in which they appeared on the congress program. The names of the sections and the number of presentations in each are as follows: (1)…

In keeping with the increased use of computers in schools, the available software for foreign language instruction has grown to over 1,000 titles, mostly of the drill and practice type, and professional associations are reviewing software and computer-related instructional techniques. However, there seems to be no clear direction for the future of…

Discusses the contribution and use of personal computers in second language teaching and learning, including consideration of the previous general lack of use of IBM computers and of IBM's establishment of Advanced Education Projects at 19 universities to set up computer-assisted instructional programs. (CB)

Describes Graphics Project for Foreign Language Learning at the University of Pennsylvania, which has developed ways of displaying foreign scripts on microcomputers. Character design on computer screens is explained; software for graphics, printing, and language instruction is discussed; and a text editor is described that corrects optically…

Reports on the progress of the Duke Language Toolkit, a collection of programs formulated to provide foreign alphabet capabilities on the IBM PC. The Toolkit itself, the interface of the Toolkit to other commonly used software, and the direction of the Toolkit project over the next nine months are discussed. (SED)

Israel's Software Evaluation Project sets national standards for hardware and software that is used in schools. All courseware must be approved for technical requirements and pedagogical content. After approval, the courseware is certified for use within Israel's school system for 2 years. Three times each year, schools, inspectorates, and…

Developed to help educators locate microcomputer software programs they may want to preview for students in grades K-12, this guide lists commercially available microcomputer software programs that have been favorably reviewed by members of the Educational Software Evaluation Consortium. Programs are arranged alphabetically by title within…

Teachers and supervisors of foreign language programs from 29 high schools in six states provide reviews of foreign language microcomputer courseware. Evaluations of the 25 programs for French, German, Italian, Russian and Spanish are based on: (1) quality of content; (2) relevance to subject area; (3) suitability to computer medium; (4)…

Discusses the micro-concord, an interactive, keyword-in-context concordancing program that can be run on the Spectrum home microcomputer. The program offers language learners, teachers, and linguistic researchers an excellent tool for investigating learners' writing as well as for replacing more traditional language learning materials. (Author/SED)

Describes three IBM compatible French language software packages: (1) "Ticket to Paris," a tourist searches for his cousin answering questions on culture, language, history, art, banking, and shopping; (2) "La Guillotine," a French version of the hangman game; and (3) "Bataille de Mots," tutors on 450 French nouns,…

Surveys indicate that while most elementary and secondary school teachers have access to microcomputers, the majority have not applied computer technology in their classrooms. Some teachers are apprehensive and negative toward computers, but in many cases this reflects a lack of information and training and a perceived shortage of software more…

Although computerized instructional materials for foreign language instruction have begun to become available, computer assisted instruction (CAI) in this field has not lived up to its promise for four reasons: poorly designed materials, incompatible machines, incompatibility of machines with textbooks, and equipment costs. Real CAI in classical…