Suggests that a solution to the problem of expensive educational software may be found in public domain software. Included are a definition of public domain software, a discussion of the kinds of software that are in the public domain, ways to obtain such software, and a list of some examples. (PK)

Presents reviews of the four software packages "Blockers and Finders,""Decimal Squares Computer Programs: Decimal Concepts, Addition and Subtraction, Multiplication and Division, and a Data Disk,""Number Stumper," and "Object Logo, Version 1.5." The software packages include problem-solving activities and drill and practice programs. (PK)

Discussion of computer literacy, database technology, and higher-order thinking skills focuses on a study that compared the problem-solving performance of fourth-grade students receiving search strategy training during computer-assisted instruction with students who did not receive training. Time spent on problems and the number of correct answers…

Provides a brief explanation why instruction designed for use with the microcomputer can enhance students' understanding of the concept of function. Presents five lessons designed to help students develop a thorough understanding of functions and their uses, to encourage students to explore and verbalize mathematical ideas, and to assist in the…

Identified and classified solution strategies of (n=49) 10th-grade students who were presented with linear programming problems in a predominantly visual setting in the form of a computerized game. Visual strategies were developed more frequently than either algebraic or mixed strategies. Appendix includes questionnaires. (Contains 11 references.)…

This "Instructor" Supplement on middle school education, presents articles on new research and materials, adolescent development, reasons for teaching middle school, moving toward a middle school curriculum, peer teaching, multimedia software, murder mysteries, ancient China, geometry, teamwork, descriptive writing, literature, problem solving,…

Reviews learner strategy research, strategy instruction, and on-line help in multimedia instructional materials, and reports on a study investigating 20 native Chinese-speaking English language learners' use of computer resource facilities (e.g., scripts, glossaries, background information) in an interactive videodisc program and their reactions…

This paper examines ways in which coherent reasoning about key concepts such as variability, sampling, data, and distribution can be developed as part of statistics education. Instructional activities that could support such reasoning were developed through design research conducted with students in grades 7 and 8. Results are reported from a…

Up to this point, university education has largely remained unaffected by the developments of novel approaches to web-based learning. The paper presents a principled approach to the design of problem-oriented, web-based learning at the university level. The principles include providing authentic contexts with multimedia, supporting collaborative…

The aim of the present study was to investigate those factors influencing performance in solving story problems in a web-based environment. A situational simulation, "Hiking across Estonia," was explored by two samples of voluntary groups of students, comprising 65 and 50 groups, respectively. They solved 25 ecological and environmental story…

This educational simulation is designed to develop planning, decision-making, problem-solving, and writing skills to teach students about U.S. history and geography as they travel the Oregon, California, and Mormon trails as emigrants. The manual is divided into two parts. Part 1, "Product Instructions," contains: (1) "The Product…

This paper discusses some of the issues involved and lessons learned in including a formal computer laboratory component in a freshman mathematics course for business administration students at Monmouth University (New Jersey), focusing on both the technical and the pedagogical aspects of the component of the course. The concept is modeled after…

Interactive multimedia (IMM) and problem-based learning (PBL) are both promoted in response to the current need to offer authentic and effective professional education. An emphasis on collaborative work in PBL contexts may have discouraged the application of IMM, more commonly designed for individual use. This paper describes preliminary…

This paper describes a computer-supported environment designed to facilitate distance learning through collaborative problem-solving. The goal is to encourage distance learning students to work together, in order to promote both learning of collaboration and learning through collaboration. Collaboration is defined as working together on a common…

The SCORE project developed and delivered workplace literacy training to employees and/or job candidates in the customer service and telephone sales industry at the AT&T Corporation. The work was done in partnership with the Florida Community College (FCC) at Jacksonville. Of 259 adults served, 39 percent became employed as a result of the…