Efforts in New Jersey to disseminate teaching materials and ideas for environmental education resulted in the preparation of Computer Based Resource Units that allow teachers to select objectives and retrieve tailor-made instructional material. (Author/DE)

For social studies teachers who want to create their own software, authoring systems and authoring languages offer an interesting avenue to be explored. An authoring system available from Courseware, Inc., (California) and the authoring language PILOT available from Apple Computer (California) are described. (RM)

Discusses a new history and geography-centered curriculum for elementary and secondary school students that was developed in California and describes efforts to adopt instructional materials that include new technology and formats. Three specific technology developments in the history-social science curriculum are described. (LRW)

Emphasizing the use of computers to achieve educational objectives, the three essays in this collection utilize the principles of learning, schools of thought in educational psychology, and guidance from a study of the philosophy of education to provide a framework relevant for the use of computers in developing the curriculum. The first essay,…

Discusses computer labs in schools and argues that they are not effective in integrating computers into the curriculum. Highlights include acquiring computer skills for computer-related classroom activities; the quality of courseware; and a case study of a sixth grade social studies lesson that integrated the computer into classroom activities.…

The impact of teaching computer literacy on the social studies curriculum, instruction, and teacher education is discussed. Social studies computer literacy objectives are organized into three components: awareness, understanding how computer technology affects individuals and society; acquisition, knowing how computers work and how to operate a…

Outlines three lessons designed to increase students' involvement in social studies classes, excerpted from the author's book, COMPUTERS, CURRICULUM, AND WHOLE-CLASS INSTRUCTION. Student surveys, supported by database and/or graphing software, are used to study immigration, banking and technology, and interpreting graphs and bias in information.…

The driving and resisting forces of introducing computers into social studies classrooms are examined. Elementary teachers' concerns about computers, as revealed in a case study, include the need for training, how to manage computer assisted instruction, where computers should be used in the curriculum, and the need for relevant software. (RM)

Summarizes the findings of a study of the conditions associated with introducing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) into precollege curricula. Principal data sources included questionnaires, field observations, and interviews. Concludes that GIS will rapidly, and inevitably, become the tool of choice for exploring spatial concepts. Includes…

Advocates use of microcomputers in teaching social studies in Michigan because of student ability to quickly process large amounts of information. Outlines a pilot unit using a U.S. history database. Lists available microcomputer-based social studies lessons. Proposes the development of a Michigan Social Studies MicroNetwork. (CH)

Two issues of this listing (August and September 1990) contain reviews of courseware for kindergarten through grade 12. Entries are classified by subject or application: communication skills, which include instruction in reading and writing; mathematics; microcomputer programing; science; social studies; and utilities (desktop publishing…

Discussion of the use of computerized databases in classroom instruction focuses on problem solving skills, student attitudes toward computers, and learning processes. A study of eighth graders is described that tested hypotheses involving the comparative analysis of data, and its implications for curriculum development and instructional methods…

Written for practitioners, curriculum developers, and researchers, the document presents evaluation criteria which were developed from an extensive review of research along with the experiences of the author with microcomputer social studies simulation games. The major portion of the document presents the review of research according to seven…

The creative process of teaching is discussed. Teachers are artists because they employ creativity when they formulate, select, and organize their ideas into a medium which is called a lesson. This medium, in turn, is the means which provides a learning experience for others. There are eight articles. In the first article, "What is a Lesson?"…

Describes the Systems Thinking and Curriculum Innovation (STACI) Project, which is examining the impact of a technology-based curriculum innovation on teaching and learning outcomes in high school science and social studies. Systems thinking is discussed, simulation-modeling software is described, and implications for technology in educational…