The goal of this project was to develop an inexpensive, self-contained system of hardware and software to support the development, administration, and evaluation of computerized adaptive tests. Toward that goal, commercial hardware was selected and a comprehensive software called the MicroCAT Testing System was developed. The MicroCAT system was…

More than 10,000 instructional software packages have been published for elementary and secondary schools--thousands in each discipline. Unfortunately, not all sources of courseware evaluations are equally reliable; therefore, it is important to determine that evaluations include: (1) critical appraisal of content accuracy; (2) in-depth…

This overview of the home market for microcomputers and computer software presents a brief history of the development of the microcomputer and its use in the home. Factors which shape the home market are discussed, e.g., desire for improvement of educational skills, presence of children, previous experience with a computer, and decreasing prices.…

In the Fall of 1982, Drexel University introduced a new educational program for the 1983-84 academic year that required every freshman to have access to a personal computer for use in all areas of the curriculum. The computer selected was the 128K Macintosh. As of January 1985, approximately 5,000 students, faculty, and staff on the Drexel campus…

During the academic year 1983-84, Drexel University instituted a new policy requiring all incoming students to have access to a microcomputer. The computer chosen to fulfill this requirement was the Macintosh from Apple Computer, Inc. This paper provides a brief description of the process undertaken to select the appropriate computer (i.e.,…

This report describes a microcomputer tutorial that was designed, produced, evaluated, and revised by the library of Mansfield University of Pennsylvania and is now in use for new student library orientation. The report includes: (1) a description of the microcomputer program; (2) background on the production of the program and a discussion of the…

Issues of copyright policy and software licensure at Drexel University that were developed during the introduction of a new microcomputing program are discussed. Channels for software distribution include: individual purchase of externally-produced software, distribution of internally-developed software, institutional licensure, and "read…

Findings of a conference that reviewed and evaluated design decisions concerning the Decision Support System (DSS) Demonstrator are summarized. The DSS Demonstrator was designed by the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems as an example of the way in which microcomputer technology can support and make more effective planning and…

A survey was conducted to determine the extent to which public libraries have made computer hardware and software available to their patrons. In December 1984, questionnaires were distributed to a stratified national probability sample of 900 public library systems. Results, based on a response rate of 99%, indicate that: (1) 42% of the systems…

This document describes the processes involved in writing an effective user manual intended to give the reader a working knowledge of a computer program named FUND-RAISER. Written in UCSD PASCAL, FUND-RAISER was developed by the Winter Park Library Association to ease the record keeping and letter writing tasks involved in the association's annual…

An annotated bibliography on music, higher education, and technology includes 27 journal articles and 6 books, most dated 1980 or later. The following topics are covered: resource groups with expertise in the music educational application of computers, manufacturers dealing with educational technology products, information on the National…

The rise in microcomputer applications to counseling prompted a study to determine the extent of microcomputer hardware and software use in the counseling and career planning centers of Virginia's education system and to establish a point of contact list so that potential buyers could talk to individuals already using a particular piece of…

Seven components of an authoring system for interactive computer-assisted instruction are described: (1) hardware, including a microcomputer, monitors, and a videodisc player; (2) videodiscs purchased for "repurposing," i.e., using frames of clips from the videodisc to illustrate the instructional program; (3) program options for the instructor;…

Developed to help library media personnel, administrators, and educators understand and work with the copyright law as it applies to videotape and microcomputer software, this handbook provides: (1) an overview of copyright, including rights granted to copyright holders and libraries and court interpretation of the copyright law; (2) suggestions…

This paper describes the use and challenges of microcomputers in guidance and counseling. Following introductory remarks on the technological advancement of computers and their impact, currently available career guidance systems, testing systems (including psychological testing, interviewing, and test preparation), administrative systems, and…