This report summarizes the proceedings of a conference held at the Harvard Graduate School of Education which focused on the conceptual distinction between microworld software and expert system software in education. Microworld software is defined as software which lacks a specific teaching and learning agenda, and expert systems as software that…

This demonstration introduced microcomputers into St. Amant High School in Louisiana by instituting a word/information processing program. Microcomputers, printers, and necessary software were purchased, and the manufacturer's educational representative instructed the word/information processing teacher on the operation of the equipment. The…

A study examined the planning, implementation, and evaluation of a curriculum designed to teach 60 college level developmental reading students to use microcomputers (Apple) as learning tools and to improve their content area reading ability. The textbook from a biology course in which all but three of the subjects were enrolled was the source for…

This report presents preliminary descriptive data from a national survey of U.S. elementary schools, conducted in 1985, which focused on the schools' instructional uses of computers, including efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Specific topic areas covered include: (1) what hardware is in different types of schools; (2) which teachers use the…

An institutional research/planning office's attempt to deal with the professional development needs of its staff is described. The objective was to broaden and develop the knowledge base and technical skills of the office as a whole, as well as to benefit individuals. A unique aspect of the program was the development of an in-office training…

A study compared written texts produced by hand, by typewriter, and by word processor for differences in improvement in creativity and writing skills. Subjects included six college students--two with high creative ability, two with average creative ability, and two with low or weak ability. During a training period, the subjects were required to…

This two reviews of the literature on computer-assisted instruction (CAI) are intended to provide a general outline of the major issues involved in the use of computers in education. The 1986 review focuses on definitions, computer usage, achievement gains, staff development, and trends, while the 1986-87 update focuses in particular on the…

A project was undertaken to evaluate software available for teaching business and office skills and to determine which software products are currently being used by business and office occupations teachers throughout West Virginia. Ninety-four of the 164 West Virginia teachers to whom a questionnaire was mailed responded to the survey. Although…

Designed to offer direction for classroom teachers and administrators in the development of an exploratory computer literacy program for grades 9-12, this resource unit comprises four major sections, four appendices, and two resource lists. The introductory section provides information on the history of Hawaii's computer literacy program; cites…

This paper explores the issue of how, when, and where to teach keyboarding at the elementary school level through a review of the keyboarding literature and descriptions of three studies conducted with fifth grade students in the laboratory school at the University of Wyoming. The literature review briefly summarizes findings on the following…

This report describes the applications and work flow of a TRS-80 microcomputer at the Maine State Library, and provides sample computer-generated records and programs used with the TRS-80. The machine was chosen for its price, availability, and compatibility with machines already in Maine's schools. It is used for mailing list management (with…

Research about writing and the teaching of writing has demonstrated that writing is a process, that thinking and writing are inextricably connected, that workshop and tutorial methods are more efficient than teacher or textbook dominated instruction in writing, and that correctness does not have to be a major concern in the teaching of writing.…

Presents a categorization system that allows potential microcomputer users to make more reasoned, conscious choices to ensure that a range of software types and activities are available for their instructional programs. (SRT)

Describes the computer literacy requirement of the Professional Teacher Preparation Program at Arizona State University. Highlights include microcomputer-based software used; word processing; database skills; spreadsheet tasks; teacher utilities for producing graphic materials, generating tests and practice exercises, and keeping records; and…

Discusses new possibilities that computers and laser printers offer instructional technologists. Includes a brief history of printed communications, a description of new technological advances referred to as "desktop publishing," and suggests the application of this technology to instructional tasks. (TW)