Prior to college-level mathematics coursework, students are not routinely provided with the opportunity to engage in the kind of sustained mathematical thinking necessary to solve complex, multistep problems, most likely because of the difficulties that school mathematics teachers face in communicating problem settings and contexts that are…

This study investigated the effect of informational, drill, and game format computer-assisted instruction (CAI) on the achievement, retention, and attitude toward instruction of sixth-grade science students (N=37). An informational CAI lesson on Halley's Comet was administered to three randomly selected groups of sixth-grade students. A CAI drill…

A study examined the effectiveness of the Writing-to-Read Computer Program in elementary school language arts education. The program is designed to teach children to read through interacting with a computer by learning sound/symbol relationships and by composing stories. First through fourth graders from predominantly black, urban schools and from…

A specialized word attack skills program was designed to increase the reading ability of a target group of seven first grade students. These youngsters, placed in an average ability classroom, were performing below county standards. The program utilized learning centers, computers, and visual-auditory activities as motivational techniques.…

Computer-assisted learning (CAL) can be used for adults functioning at any academic or grade level. In adult basic education (ABE), CAL can promote greater learning effectiveness and faster progress, concurrent learning and experience with computer literacy skills, privacy, and motivation. Adults who face barriers (financial, geographic, personal,…

One class of interactive, computer-based learning environments (microworlds) for the exploration of school mathematics (and science) entails the incorporation of appropriate concepts within the engaging context of self-directed discovery learning. The objective of this research was to investigate and describe in detail the constructive learning…

Written by middle school, high school, and college writing teachers, the 30 lesson plans collected in this book represent a mix of computer-based units for teaching writing. They cover many types of writing from journalism to literary essays, fiction, and poetry, and many aspects of the writing process, from brainstorming for ideas to prewriting…

This report provides a summary of the activities of the Continuing Nursing Education in Computer Technology project conducted by the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) in response to changes created by microcomputer use in health care. In addition to a discussion of the workshops offered to nurse educators, an outline of project outcomes is…

This study presents the results of a 1989 study of computers in Texas schools. Data were gathered from 65 questionnaires concerning brands currently in use, percent of computer literacy among faculty, number of computer laboratories in the school district, use of computer networking in the laboratories, and brands of computers by grade level. It…

This report presents the findings of a survey of 292 preservice teachers concerning their attitudes toward the personal use and school use of microcomputers. The students' attitudes were measured on a variety of issues including computer assisted instruction, feasibility of computer use, value of computer use, confidence in personal ability to use…

This paper presents the results of a qualitative study of the interaction between computer assisted instruction (CAI) and cooperative learning. The constructivist perspective is discussed in relation to other learning theories, and is emphasized as the theoretical basis for the study because of its focus on prior learning, student characteristics,…

Students entering beginning computer courses have a wide range of experiences with and prior learning in the use of computers. Additionally, adult learners who have returned to school at the community college level may be apprehensive and anxious about computer use. A hypertext computer-assisted instruction (CAI) program was developed in order to…

The purpose of this paper is to consider different kinds of actions learners may take during computer assisted instruction (CAI), and to examine the kind of information they need in order to exercise control over the instruction, i.e., information about their performance level, the organization of the content, the choices available to them and the…

Designed for community college faculty who plan to employ computers in their classrooms, this paper defines computer literacy as not only knowing how to use computers but also knowing when it is appropriate to do so. The paper provides examples of inappropriate uses of computer technology in education, presents a brief history of the…

This annotated model outline provides guidelines for writing a plan for using computers and related learning technologies in schools. It is consistent with the components of the Merrimack Education Center's technology applications planning process, and can be modified to accommodate additional components and special school district requirements.…