Explains hyper-systems and discusses their role in active learning, presents results from an expert evaluation of current hyper-systems that use HyperCard, and suggests implications for designers of educational hypermedia. System criteria discussed include purpose, domain or content, structure, navigation methods, control mechanisms, and style of…

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,…

The use of word processing as an instructional tool is the focus of this monograph. The introductory section provides an overview of word processing and its use in higher education, while the second section explores the use of word processing in writing courses, including word processing for basic writers and learning disabled students, word…

The use of the computer as an educational tool is examined in the two papers of this report. The first paper, "Taking Control of Educational Technology" by Bertram Bruce, considers what computers are and how they might be used productively in education. The paper notes that the biggest impact of computers may be in terms of the ways they…

Provides an overview of the capabilities and potential educational applications of CD-ROM (compact disk read-only memory), artificial intelligence, and speech technology. Highlights include reference materials on CD-ROM; current developments in CD-I (compact disk interactive); synthesized and digital speech for microcomputers, including specific…

Describes studies conducted at a French university to evaluate microcomputer software used in computer assisted instruction. Results of questionnaires completed by a sample of 150 students in beginning computing courses are analyzed to determine how such courseware can be improved, and evaluation versus validation is discussed. (LRW)

Describes the development of a computer program called Shoemaker Computerized Instruction Office (SCIO) that contains morphology, vocabulary, and syntax drills used to teach Latin. Latin morphology is explained, student improvement after using the drills is discussed, and planned future enhancements of SCIO, including parsing capabilities, are…

Describes an expert system microcomputer-based program, ZEERA, which is designed to help users understand and perform statistical analyses. Computer-assisted instruction and the traditional approach of drill and practice are discussed, and benefits of using ZEERA are described based on testing in a university elementary statistics course. (11…

Describes a system for computer-assisted practice of Chinese vocabulary. Its main goal is to help students improve their association between the sound of a Chinese word or phrase and its graphic shape in Chinese characters. This system is currently for use with the Victor 9000. (Author/LMO)

Just as the communication and information processing abilities of the computer transform the processes of which it becomes a part, so does the computer transform the nature of education and the functions of teachers and schools. (MT)

Reviews the main principles of interfacing and discusses the software developed to perform kinetic data capture and analysis with a BBC microcomputer linked to a recording spectrophotometer. Focuses on the steps in software development. Includes results of a lactate dehydrogenase assay. (ML)

The fundamental link between language and action is the rationale behind the design of four interactive video programs intended to teach deaf children verb tenses, literacy, and reading comprehension, and to teach hearing parents of deaf children to use British Sign Language. The four interactive video programs are described. (MBR)

Briefly describes stages of the systematic design process for educational software including learning goals identification; considering medium suitability; developing performance objectives, criterion-referenced tests, and instructional strategies; and product evaluation and dissemination. Events of instruction are discussed in detail as they…