This basic plan for implementing educational software in the classroom incorporates a research design for evaluating its effectiveness. A study of fifth grade classrooms using game and tutorial software for spelling and fractions is used as an example. Topics discussed include software selection, selecting groups of comparable ability, and use of…

Describes study that examined the effects of computer use in the literacy program for communication disordered elementary school students, and determined which literacy effects could be attributed to problem-solving software and which to word processing software. Treatments for the experimental and control groups are described, and results are…

Describes the Instructional Software Design Project conducted in a LOGO-based learning environment in a Boston inner-city public school with fourth graders engaged in the design and production of educational software to teach fractions. Constructionist views of computers in education are discussed, and learning processes are examined. (Contains 58…

Discussion of computerphobia among college students focuses on a model program, the Computerphobia Reduction Program, that was developed to reduce computerphobic reactions among students. Personality factors and computer experience are considered, computerphobia screening measures are described, program results are reported, and future directions…

Discussion of various types of feedback used in computer-assisted instruction focuses on a study of low-ability eleventh graders that compared the effectiveness of answer until correct (AUC) feedback with knowledge of correct response (KCR) feedback. Achievement data on posttests as well as time data are analyzed. (11 references) (LRW)

This study examined the effectiveness of a computer algebra system in teaching secondary school mathematics. Pre- and posttest results and time on task were compared for students receiving conventional instruction and those receiving computer-assisted instruction using an enhanced version of muMath, a standard computer algebra package. (four…

Discusses formative evaluation of courseware and describes a study of undergraduates that compared the effects of two methods of formative evaluation on the revision of a computer-assisted instruction (CAI) program written in HyperCard. Use of the one-to-one method and the small group method of evaluation are explained, and posttest scores are…

Discussion of school effectiveness, achievement outcomes, and sociocultural influences focuses on a study of Nigerian high school students that was conducted to determine whether or not instruction based on a sociocultural model could significantly alter students' attitudes toward learning and achievement in science. (51 references) (LRW)

Discussion of learning styles and learner control focuses on a study of college students that paired field-dependent and field-independent learning styles with different instructional control treatments. The use of interactive video lessons and a printed self-study guide is described, and treatments for the experimental and control groups are…

Compares five designs of an undergraduate ethics course at Saint Edward's University (Texas) in a 5-year study involving 318 students. Reveals the effectiveness of directly targeting and teaching in tandem the elements of moral reasoning. Bases study on Lawrence Kohlberg's moral development theory. Argues that this approach best develops moral…

Effects of a measurement and planning system on the cognitive development, promotion, and referral to special education of 838 public school kindergartners were studied. The 428-member experimental group, whose 29 teachers implemented the system, had higher posttest scores in reading, mathematics, and science than did the 410-member control group.…

A method was developed using a deck of cards to teach Japanese fifth graders to calculate the area of a parallelogram. Investigations with 59 male and 45 female students demonstrate the superiority of the method to that previously used in terms of recall at one week. (SLD)

A comparison of changes in traditional pre/post self-assessment ratings with changes in retrospective pre/post self-assessment ratings for 29 medical faculty members indicated that retrospective pre/post ratings may provide a more sensitive and valid measure of the effects of faculty development efforts. (SLD)

An employee wellness program involving physical fitness activities and health education was implemented at the University of Texas (Arlington). Results of participant (N=50) and control group (N=152) pre- and posttest surveys, physiological tests, program evaluations, and analysis of personnel records demonstrated the program's value. (Author/MLW)

Describes study of English education undergraduates at West Virginia University that measured attitudes toward and perceived uses of computers before and after a course on computers and writing. Prior computer experience, computer anxiety, and concerns about computers are examined, and pretreatment and posttreatment results are compared. (16…