This paper advocates the use of social constructivist perspectives in developing collaborative educational research studies. The perspectives were developed during a Canadian project on curriculum and context in the use of computers for secondary classroom learning. The paper explores the interrelated epistemological and ethical implications of…

One of a series of educational packages designed for implementation either in a workshop atmosphere or through individual study, this Hot Topic guide presents a variety of materials to assist educators in designing and implementing classroom projects and activities centering on the topic of computers and writing. The Hot Topic guide contains…

This report and literature review describe a project that investigated the use of hypermedia software and software and conducted workshops for teachers in the use of hypermedia in family and consumer education. Project materials included in this report are as follows: (1) a selected bibliography listing 49 references on perspectives on technology…

The standards developed for reform in mathematics education by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) de-emphasize the algorithmic manipulation of mathematical symbols. The NCTM takes the position that the rapidly changing workplace is an environment that requires problem-solving skills with computers being used to perform routine…

Apple Classrooms of Tomorrow (ACOT) is a long-term research project sponsored by Apple Computer, Inc., to explore how learning and teaching change when teachers and students have access to interactive computer technologies. ACOT adheres to a philosophy that instruction should be learner controlled; i.e., students take responsibility for their own…

The results of two recent statewide surveys dramatically underscore the continued expansion and use of technology for instructional and management applications in New York State's school districts. The first survey is the fall 1989 Basic Educational Data System (BEDS) School Data Form Survey, which is completed annually by all public and nonpublic…

A questionnaire was administered to 167 preservice elementary education undergraduates. The questionnaire was designed to assess the relatedness of personological variables to the expected use of computers in teaching by preservice student teachers. The data collected comprise the baseline for a 5-year longitudinal study that is to be conducted…

The impact of word processing on students' attitudes and grades was studied using 235 students in 15 sections of freshmen composition at a large midwestern university. Students in the word-processing sections wrote and revised their papers on the Macintosh Plus using the software MacWrite. Students in the traditional sections used paper, pencils,…

A systematic study was conducted with a group of 10- to 12-year-olds using computer assisted instruction in a unit on fire which included a computer simulation of combustion. Three research questions were addressed to learn more about how the computer experience challenged the students' preconceptions: what the students thought the computer knew,…

The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a computer-based system that would allow interactive video developers to integrate and manage the design components prior to production. These components of an interactive video (IVD) program include visual information in a variety of formats, audio information, and instructional techniques,…

The purpose of this study was to determine the status of the use of computers in the schools within the West Kootenay region of southeastern British Columbia (Canada). Thirty teachers, librarians, principals, and senior district administrators were interviewed to determine the computing background of the interviewees and how they were using…

This paper establishes the roots of computers and automated teaching in the field of psychology and describes Dr. S. L. Pressey's presentation of the teaching machine; B. F. Skinner's teaching machine; Meyer's steps in composing a program for the automated teaching machine; IBM's beginning research on automated courses and the development of the…

"A Computer for Every Teacher" was a project of the Indiana Department of Education to provide each teacher and administrator in four schools with a computer and printer for personal and professional use. This equipment was accompanied by software and realistic amounts of training. Its focus was to improve teacher productivity and to enhance…

This paper argues that the concepts and techniques used in the development of expert systems should be expanded and applied to the field of education, particularly in the area of intelligent tutoring systems. It is noted that expert systems are a well known area of artificial intelligence and have been proven effective in well-defined topic areas.…

This guide for using computers in the whole language classroom provides teachers with practical ideas for the use of computers to promote group interaction and cooperative learning, including: (1) software webs to assist theme development; (2) pre-computer activities to motivate students; (3) computer activities to develop software competence; (4)…