This document lists and describes materials developed by the National Center for the Development of Training Materials in Teacher Education and designed to be used in the acquisition of teaching skills. Nine products from the center are listed. The following characteristics are cited for each entry: primary developers, product description,…

The ancient principle of caveat emptor (let the buyer beware) is largely dead, but remnants of the rule remain in the privilege to use puffery, a type of subjective opinion claim which is defended by the law on the ground that it does not deceive the public even though it is false. While behavioral evidence suggests that many such claims actually…

This booklet describes some initial work on environments at the early childhood level; special emphasis is given to the experiences of first-grade children with the medium of tri-wall (triple thick cardboard). Experiments at Nueva over the past two years (1971-1973) indicate children at this developmental level seem to gain great satisfaction when…

The analyses of 31 social studies materials are based on the way the developers have dealt with the intents of the products, the organization of the contents of the products, the methodology for the use of each product, and the means of evaluation of learning that each product provides. (Author)

Several classroom activities designed to examine the persuasive techniques used in consumer advertising are outlined. (DE)

Assesses the magnitude and incidence of experimentally determined deceptive advertising decisions in supermarket advertisements. Shows that many reduced-priced items are displayed less prominently, lessening a consumer's ability to show economically. (RL)

Packaging of courses/programs/kits on needs assessment, instructional design, and evaluation are becoming slicker as they aim at popular consumption, but are they a panacea? (DAG)

Fourth installment of a directory published in four parts in "Database" (June and August) and "Online" (July and September) provides descriptions of 12 laserdisk products together with information on the producer, compatibility, type of laserdisk, search and retrieval software, interface with magnetic media, conditions of usage, price, and status.…

Argues that labels on sound filmstrips/slide sets should provide clear instructions on how to set up and use the products. Provides illustrations of instructive labels for cassettes, filmstrips, and slides. Calls for collective action through the American National Standards Institute for label standardization. (DMM)

This chart comparing communications software packages focuses on features important to novice users. Less obvious features covered in the chart are defined, including file transfer, protocols, baud rates, file types, capture methods, file editing, macro, tutorial unattended operation, document reading, and prices. A list of manufacturers of…

This hardware review describes such innovative features of the Texas Instrument Portable Professional Computer as integrated color screen and option slots permitting customization as well as the physical unit (inside and out), its mass storage flexibility, and sturdiness. A comparison with the IBM PC Portable is included. (MBR)

Discusses features essential to good art software or paint systems and provides descriptions of 10 art software packages to illustrate range available to home computer artists--Complete Graphics System, E-Z Draw 3.3, Flying Colors, Graphics Magician, Micro-Painter, Paint, Paint Magic, Paint Master, Poor Man's Graphics Tablet, and Rainbow Graphics.…

Discusses microcomputer software designed specifically to be used in the online bibliographic database search process. The specialized communications software discussed includes programs that aid in database selection, logging on, uploading, searching, downloading, post-processing, and recordkeeping. A directory of specialized communications…

Makes a case for the production of printed subject indexes and describes the MICROSPI package, which allows the production of NEPHIS (NEsted PHrase Indexing System) and KWAC (Key Word And Context) indexes on a microcomputer. (Author/MBR)

Describes a robotics literacy course offered for elementary age children at Broward Community College (Florida) and discusses the motivation for offering such a course, the course philosophy and objectives, and participant reactions. A sampling of robots and robotics devices and some of their teaching applications are included. (MBR)