Integrating computer-based learning tools into the curriculum has been slow, and the results of actual usage have been inconclusive; however, the potential for effective instruction should increase use by teachers and students. This ERIC Digest discusses three topics: (1) computer use in the classroom; (2) what is known about the effects of…

This digest discusses advantages and disadvantages of CD-ROM use in libraries and information centers and lists features of three CD-ROM versions of the ERIC database--Dialog OnDisc ERIC, OCLC Search CD450, and SilverPlatter ERIC. Brief descriptions of these products focus on the differences among them, including equipment requirements, search…

This courseware evaluation rates the Wood Programs software developed by the Iowa Department of Public Instruction. (These programs--not contained in this document--include understanding board feet, wood characteristics, wood safety drill, wood dimensions, wood moisture, operating the table saw, radial arm, measurement drill, fraction drill, and…

This courseware evaluation rates the Ohm's Law and Solar Energy program developed by the Iowa Department of Public Instruction. (The program--not contained in this document--covers Ohm's law and resistance problems, passive solar energy, and project ideas and sources.) Part A describes the program in terms of subject area (construction and…

The Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada's comments on proposed changes in Canadian copyright law, and further changes implied by or caused by those revisions, are presented. The association argues first that since the proposed revisions are being revealed in stages, legislative committee work should be suspended until all of the…

This study explores an approach to the evaluation of expert system shells using case studies. The methodology and some of the results of an evaluation of the prototype development of an expert system using the shell "M1" are detailed, including a description of the participants and the project, the data collection process and materials,…

This paper describes SEF.ASSISTANT, a special software shell for authoring languages to be used in the development of courseware serving computer based education (CBE). The capabilities of SEF.ASSISTANT are identified: (1) it will generate programs written in the IBM SEF.PC authoring language; (2) it is compatible with external standard software…

Designed as a teaching script to introduce adults to computer operation and programming, this manual can also be used for self-instruction on Apple II or Apple IIe computers. BASIC programming language is used in the following lessons: (1) "Running the Machine, Print Command"; (2) "Giving the Computer Information"; (3)…

Few methods have been tried and used to graphically represent more than two variables. This poster session showed a new method for representing three continuous variables on a single scatterplot using the THREEDE computer program. Two variables are represented as a normal bivariate distribution. The third variable is represented by a symbol, e.g.…

This report documents a computer-based gaming system for assessing recognition performance (RECOG). The game management system is programmed in a modular manner to: instruct the student on how to play the game, retrieve and display individual images, keep track of how well individuals play and provide them feedback, and link these components by…

As a demonstration of the application of heuristic devices to decision-theoretical techniques, an interactive computer program known as MAUD (Multiattribute Utility Decomposition) has been designed to support decision or choice problems that can be decomposed into component factors, or to act as a tool for investigating the microstructure of a…

The evaluation and selection of information/data management system software for the Egyptian National Scientific and Technical (STI) Network are described. An overview of the state-of-the-art of database technology elaborates on the differences between information retrieval and database management systems (DBMS). The desirable characteristics of…

The report presents findings and materials developed in an investigation of the value of microcomputers and specially designed software materials in mathematics instruction with 90 learning disabled, emotionally impaired, and mentally retarded students in elementary, middle school and high school classes. Ss were divided into three groups:…

This report describes a data management process that provides users with a systematic approach to document identification, and to information storage and retrieval using the AppleWorks database subprogram and a simple organizational scheme. The functions of this scheme are described and include: (1) taking the user from general to specific…

As educators become more interested in the use of qualitative methods, a major concern is the management of the large amounts of textual data during analysis. The efficiency and possibly the effectiveness of manual systems, i.e., color-coded index cards and wall-mounted systems, are reduced as the amount of textual data increases. An emerging…