Reviews three computer software: (1) "Elastic Lines: The Electronic Geoboard" on elementary geometry; (2) "Wildlife Adventures: Whales" on environmental science; and (3) "What Do You Do with a Broken Calculator?" on computation and problem solving. Summarizes the descriptions, strengths and weaknesses, and…

Examines 11 microcomputer simulations dealing with politics, the presidency, and campaign issues. Topics covered include simulating the campaign; facts, history, and math of the presidency; a database approach; and voting. Lists positive attributes about each program. (MVL)

Discusses three programs where mirocomputers were added to the classroom to introduce technology and aid in instruction. Presents a high school chemistry class with a modem hookup to Purdue University, an elementary facility to track students by mastery, and a project where fourth graders each received a computer for home. (MVL)

Describes the use of cooperative learning centers (CLCs) in an inner-city fourth-grade classroom. These seven CLCs focused on mathematics, language, writing, learning with kindergartners, computers, interest group, and free reading, with students taking weekly turns at being the center "specialist" or group leader. The effectiveness of…

Discusses why Japan has participated in the international cooperative studies sponsored by the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA). Asserts that Japanese educators want to compare not only content acquisition but also measures of cognitive learning. (CFR)

Addresses the challenges, risks, and rewards of teaching about linear functions in a technology-rich environment from a constructivist perspective. Describes an algebra class designed for junior high school students that focuses of the representations and real-world applications of linear functions. (MDH)

Describes a cooperative-learning technique that uses a computer network and involves cooperation among teams separated by physical and social distances. Teachers' messages and students' work illustrate positive features of network connections for inner-city classrooms that are at-risk because of academic, physical, or economic conditions. (RLC)

Discusses the scribal society, computer discourse, and computer literacy in the information age. Describes issues related to classroom dynamics, including new textual forms of knowledge, equity in access for children to acquire knowledge of multiple computer discourses, and necessary changes in instructional strategies to accommodate new discourse…

Presents four hands-on activities to teach geometric concepts to both honors and non-college-bound students. The activities are adaptable to various levels and use manipulatives and technology to explore the concepts of enlargement, area, maximum volume, and figure duplication in a cooperative setting. (MDH)

Describes a cooperative-learning program jointly developed by computer education and world history teachers in which secondary students create mock newspapers. Asserts that the project fulfilled cross-disciplinary objectives and encouraged critical thinking skills. Includes examples from the student-created newspapers. (CFR)

Examines the rationale for critical, rather than didactic, instructional approaches. Delineates activities of the Center for Critical Thinking and Moral Critique at Sonoma State University (California), a leading institute in the critical thinking movement. These activities include preparing teaching guides, conducting annual international…

Advocates teaching computer literacy and ethical behavior in allocation of computers in the schools. Suggests that, if citizens are computer illiterate, technology can threaten a democracy by allowing elite groups to manipulate information. Observes that computer education is available more often to privileged groups that perpetuates the status…

Explains how a computer uses its vision to determine the area, edge length, width, height, and center of mass in two dimensions from photos of backlit sea shells. Includes HyperCard codes used to instruct the computer to make the calculations. (MDH)

Discusses advancements in the field of history-related computer-assisted instruction and research. Describes the components of Historiography and Methods of Research, a class that introduces history students to such practical applications as the World Wide Web (WWW), File Transfer Protocol (FTP), listservs, archival access, and others. Briefly…

Assesses the strengths and weaknesses of the interactive CD-ROM "The Oregon Trail." Maintains that, although the program offers a sympathetic portrayal of Native Americans, it is still rife with cultural bias. The simulation's structure accentuates the white male experience at the expense of others. (MJP)