Presents a brief history of the development of computer-assisted instruction (CAI). Topics discussed include programmed instruction (PI); PLATO; CAI in elementary and secondary public schools; computer-managed instruction (CMI); administrative uses of computers; the development of minicomputers and microcomputers; educational software and its…

Describes a software evaluation program being initiated by the National Resource for Computers in Life Science Education (NRCLSE) that will provide software authors with feedback as well as provide users with information. Peer critiques which will address content and instructional design are explained, and evaluation guidelines are outlined. (five…

Discussion of the evaluation of educational software highlights two evaluation methods: (1) the York Educational Software Evaluation Scales (YESES), a criterion-based evaluation, and (2) a field-testing approach developed at York University. Guidelines for the field-testing approach include an emphasis on the observation of students. (22…

Discussion of courseware for use with microcomputers focuses on criteria for selecting the appropriate authoring tool. Criteria are specified from the perspective of: (1) the content specialist or instructor; (2) the instructional designer or analyst; (3) the programer; and (4) the administrator of the instructional software. (42 references) (LRW)

Discusses the use of computer-illustrated texts to teach statistics at the college level. Microcomputer-based software that can be used in the areas of calculation, graphics, simulation, animation, and text presentation is described; and use of the software for lectures, laboratory use, and tutorials is discussed. (three references) (LRW)

Discusses the use of pre-Logo microworlds for elementary school children and describes developments that are being made to alleviate problems encountered in classroom implementation of the microworlds. Highlights include tutorial support; a menu-driven user interface appropriate for young children; effectiveness of new learner support features;…

Reports on a study that investigated the effectiveness and efficiency of computer classroom drill for learning bass clef notes. Compared posttest results among students with differing cognitive styles. Concludes that computer assisted instruction is an effective way to teach music skills, allowing teachers to focus on teaching aesthetic aspects of…

Describes three California Institute of Technology projects that use IBM's InfoWindow multimedia computing technology to enhance the instructional value of a television series, "The Mechanical Universe," for use in high school and college physics. The use of personal computers and videodiscs is described, and computer graphics and video…

Reviews the use of microcomputers in the art studio and classrooms. Argues that there is a lack of effective software for art education, but that computers are useful for enhancing standard visual grammar. Suggests that the most legitimate educational use of computers is employing them to discover new ideas in better ways. (GG)

Encourages reading teachers to create their own instructional software, using recent advances in authoring systems which have made teacher-constructed microcomputer lessons instructionally viable. (MG)

Describes the development of a computer assisted instruction (CAI) package for use in teaching basic aspects of legal research. The discussion covers implementation of effective CAI techniques, identification of learning principles applicable to the design of the program, and the feasibility of converting practical aspects of learning principles…

Describes the design and implementation of an interactive video system using existing videodiscs and Apple's Hypercard for use in the teaching of cell biology to undergraduate biology students. Hypertext and hypermedia are discussed, the hardware configuration is described, and a preliminary evaluation of the completed system is reported. (five…

Describes study of undergraduates in business communication classes at Arizona State University that was designed to investigate how attitudes affect students' use of microcomputers. Results indicate that students with more computer experience are more likely to have positive attitudes toward computers than those with less experience. (15…

Outlines the factors that should be considered when planning to incorporate microcomputers into the library setting. These include the function of the microcomputer (recreation, instruction, and information retrieval); criteria for software selection (technical and instructional criteria); and the formation of policies and procedures for…

Outlines an approach to teaching management control activities via the use of case study material, microcomputer technology, and commercially available software. A case study for use by an undergraduate class is described; it includes a single regression analysis, a spreadsheet model, and a description of the man/machine decision process.…