In the first of four symposium papers, Clark reviews the research on learning from media and uses his argument that media comparison studies show no differences in learning attributable to any one medium over another to dispute recent research on computer-assisted instruction. He also takes the position that the media attribute argument (i.e.,…

Instructors in technical education need to use diverse methods of teaching to provide for individual differences among learners. Use of microcomputers is particularly appropriate, because such use can impart knowledge as well as develop skills. Three philosophies of computer/software instruction in technical education can be identified: (1)…

A review of the literature and current technology focuses on the determination of what strategies and methods are appropriate for computer-assisted language learning (CALL). A brief overview is presented regarding the historical development and non-use (to its full potential) of the computer in the education field, and particularly in the area of…

The potential of the computer in helping foreign language students learn to use the grammatical principles of the target language for communicative purposes is discussed. A philosophical contrast between the terms of computer-assisted instruction (CAI) and computer-assisted language learning (CALL) precedes a discussion of current approaches to…

A computer-assisted language learning (CALL) software evaluation form that looks directly at important aspects of language teaching approaches is presented. Examples of typical evaluation checklists are described to illustrate how they fail to address the appropriate questions for language teaching software. Three major categories of language…

Developed by participants in an inservice workshop at the University of Wyoming, this manual lists 26 educational strategies that make use of current educational technologies, their corresponding skill development, and the content areas involved. For example, one strategy listed is to have students create their own letterhead to be used throughout…

Beginning in 1985, Apple Computer, Inc., and several school districts began a collaboration to examine the impact of computer saturation on instruction and learning in K-12 classrooms. The initial guiding question was simply put: What happens when teachers and students have constant access to technology? To provide "constant access,"…

This manual describes how the Kidlink early education program in Topeka, Kansas, evolved from a segregated program serving physically disabled children to an integrated one including day care services. Chapters include "PROJECT KIDLINK: Bringing Together Disabled and Nondisabled Preschoolers" (Julie Keller); "KIDLINK CLASSROOM: An…

This project trained 52 severely handicapped children (ages 3-12) on communication skills using microprocessor technology. Data analyses showed discernible effect of the additional computer training when compared to regular classroom communication training alone. Effects were strongest on a direct criterion-referenced measure of vocabulary taught.…

This report presents first year (1984-85) findings of The Writing Project, a 2-year school-based study of the use of word processing to improve learning disabled children's writing skills. Based in three Massachusetts school districts, the project focused in the first year on intensive observation of 14 fourth grade children as they wrote with…

The three reports in this collection are based on research reviews and original research from both published and unpublished sources, covering the years 1986 through 1990, and they reflect the broad array of factors that determine the effectiveness of technology-based instruction. The first report discusses research studying the effects of…

Intended as a guide for elementary school teachers who want to use the computer as a writing tool in their classrooms, this booklet offers an outline of practical information and techniques for introducing young children to computers in kindergarten through grade 6. The first chapter explains the process approach to writing and advocates computer…

Computer use in the English classroom has the potential to help students enjoy and integrate their learning of writing and reading of literature in new ways. This new relationship between the student and machine-readable text can be thought of in terms of Alvin Toffler's theory of the "prosumer," a person who uses Information Age…

Arguing that computers in education are necessary to prepare children to live in a future computerized society, this report examines the issues associated with computers in education in developing countries. The first of three parts provides a brief overview of how and why computers are used in education in developed countries; describes…

This study compared the effects of interactive video instruction on learner performance and attitude with the effects of conventional computer assisted instruction (CAI) and stand-alone video. Based on pretest scores, 134 junior high industrial arts students designated as relatively high or low in prior achievement were randomly assigned to one of…