Contains readers' comments as well as the authors' responses to earlier "College English" articles by Kenneth Bruffee and Johnathan Kamholtz and Robin Sheets. Contains comments only on articles by Ann Berthoff and William Marling. (EL)

Discusses the impact of computer programing instruction on cognitive skills and suggests two mechanisms of transfer--low road, from practice, and high road, from generalization. Previous research that tried to measure transfer from programing is reviewed, six categories in which transfer might occur are presented, and 71 references are provided.…

This paper contains summaries of the findings of research and meta analyses conducted on the effectiveness of computer-based instruction (CBI) on student achievement. Eight conclusions, based on the CBI research are then given: (1) when CBI and traditional instruction are compared, students receiving CBI demonstrate equal or better achievement;…

The meta-analytic approach used in this review is similar to that described by Glass et al. (1981), whose approach requires a reviewer to locate and code studies of an issue, to code study outcomes on a common scale, and to use statistical methods to relate study features to outcomes. The studies considered for use in this meta-analysis came from…

The pedagogical and theoretical questions raised by the notion of using microcomputers in the teaching of literature are covered in this report, rather than the current state of computer use in the classroom. In part, the report formulates basic premises that underly what teachers do in literature classrooms and asks what skills, concepts, and…

Suggests programming structures of computer assisted instruction for teaching severely learning disabled students be related to an established educational model. Use of performance contoured programming (PCP), based upon behavioral model of precision teaching, is discussed and contrasted with cognitive programming approaches. PCP applications and…

Argues that schools should focus on developing individuals capable of independent learning for technological/information age; basic skills can be taught at home with microcomputers; major changes are necessary in organizational structure, curriculum, instructional mode, software design, and teacher education to accommodate new educational…

Discusses two ways in which task analysis can be integrated with instructional design--substantive integration, where the type of task analysis is determined by design type, and temporal integration, where analysis activities are interspersed with design activities. Flowcharts, examples of and procedures for instructional analysis, and references…

Examines advantages of using videogame format for training, including practicality, relatively inexpensive hardware, ability to use multi-purpose software modules, motivational advantages of increased student interest and instructional effectiveness, and instructional features such as the adaptive interactive nature of videogames. An example of a…

The article describes what electronic books are, notes how easy they are to use, and explains why teachers might consider using electronic books to motivate their students in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. (SM)

As drill and practice programs in computer assisted instruction (CAI) in English give students a chance to test their understanding and free the teacher from test grading, they seem a legitimate if unexciting use of the computer; but what seems less defensible is that, according to some estimates, 90% of available CAI software is of this drill and…

This document consists primarily of a compilation of nine articles, on the use of microcomputers in language arts instruction, that have been extracted from 1983-1985 issues of the journal "The Computing Teacher". Also included are various software reviews from the same period. The articles include: "Keyboarding Skills: Elementary,…

Reviews communication capacities of computers that can be used to enhance the writing process; reports on recent studies of the social effects of using computers in writing classes, including a case study of student collaborative writing; and discusses research and teaching implications of research findings. (MBR)

Using recorded music in elementary classrooms encourages creative learning. The article offers ideas for using music in language arts and social studies; suggestions for using literature about children's songs to promote classroom unity; a model for using computers to integrate music, language, and art; and a guide to music resources. (SM)

A quantitative or meta-analytic review was conducted of studies comparing computer-based education (CBE) to conventional instruction in precollege classrooms. Seventy-four studies were included in the review; sources included earlier reviews by Hartley, Burns, and authors from the University of Michigan, and the ERIC and Comprehensive Dissertation…