This report provides short descriptions of systemic approaches for American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding including: (1) 21st Century Classroom; (2) Comprehensive Professional Development; (3) Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems; (4) Formative Assessment; (5) Digital Content; (6) Virtual Learning; and (7) Learning Management Systems.

Discussion of the predictive evaluation of educational software, i.e. the evaluation of software prior to its intended use, focuses on a model known as the Jigsaw Model, which attempts to integrate usability and educational issues. Highlights include the failure of checklists for evaluation and two studies that tested the model with practicing…

Presents an instructional development model that incorporates formative evaluation techniques, and explores the possible application of the model in developing computer-assisted instruction courseware. Advantages and disadvantages of this approach are identified and implications for research on formative evaluation are discussed. (31 references)…

The design team approach to the development of computer based learning (CBL) courseware relies heavily on the effective communication between different members of the team, including up-to-date paperwork and documentation. This is important for the accurate and efficient overall coordination of the courseware design, and for future maintenance of…

Describes a quality control system for a curriculum-based, computer-based instruction (CBI) program that was developed by Florida State University's Center for Educational Technology (CET) for the U. S. Army's Job Skills Education Program (JSEP). Flow charts are presented and explained for each stage of the system. (six references) (LRW)

Describes model for evaluating computer-assisted instruction (CAI) that includes training needs; instructional objectives; types of learning; organization of program content; and the design of instructional modes. Also discussed are evaluation of CAI courseware and student-oriented review of courseware, and a condensed evaluation checklist is…

Discussion of software engineering for computer-based instruction (CBI) focuses on a model for instructional software development. Highlights include a multidisciplinary team approach; needs analysis; feasibility study; requirement analysis; prototype construction; design phase; implementation and development; testing and evaluation; and project…

This paper presents a three-phase model of how formative evaluation research can inform the design of educational computer software products. Used as an illustrative case is a program of formative research conducted on "The Talking Clock," a computer assisted instructional software product designed to help children in kindergarten through second…

Describes a computer program that allows undergraduate students to undertake nomenclature tutorials in organic chemistry, where user response is evaluated based on a set of rules that determine appropriate feedback. Design of the software is described, including the use of computer graphics, and results of students' evaluations are briefly…

A discussion of the evaluation of computer courseware looks at its history, the kinds of instruments developed for the purpose of evaluation, and evaluation trends. The first chapter presents three types of evaluation models: (1) those centered on educational objectives, (2) those centered on the use or value of a program, and (3) those…

Explains the function of formative evaluation and the evaluation techniques that can be used in the various stages of educational computing research and development. Topics include computer software design; selecting evaluation standards; and a framework for formative evaluation, including theoretical models, expert consultation, and field…

Developed for the freshman writing program at University of Southern California (USC), Project Jefferson has two goals: to develop a model of computer-based instruction that includes the use of research tools and an interface that can be used with courseware in other disciplines; and to develop a researcher's notebook that permits easy access to…

This paper reflects on the author's participation in two government-sponsored educational software development projects that used a holistic design paradigm in which classroom formative assessment and teacher input played a critical role in the development process. The two project were: R-WISE (Reading and Writing in a Supportive Environment)--a…