This study of the role of the American Chemical Society (ACS) in chemistry education begins by discussing the lack of computer-based enhancements in the study of chemistry and goes on to describe ACS efforts to deal with this problem, including a member survey, formation of the Computer Secretariat to coordinate computer-related activities within…

The seven stages in the system development process are discussed in the context of implementing basic arithmetic drill and practice exercises on a computer-based system: (1) feasibility study; (2) requirements definition; (3) alternative specifications; (4) evaluation and selection of an alternative; (5) system design; (6) development and testing;…

The report reviews 86 documents (1966 to 1982) concerned with trends and applications of computers in vocational rehabilitation of the disabled. The literature is analyzed in four areas: the counseling process, agency management, training and education, and consumer concerns. Six recommendations resulting from the reviews are given such as the…

Regardless of ambiguous feelings about using microcomputers in schools, it is likely that education will remain substantially the same with their widespread use. The microcomputer will modify the way some skills are taught, but the need to teach the skills will remain. Most contemporary critiques of using microcomputers in the classroom are…

The use and effectiveness of gaming techniques in educational computer software was investigated through an analysis of 170 in-depth evaluations of commercially-available educational computer programs. These evaluations, conducted by the Educational Products Information Exchange (EPIE) Institute, dealt with design attributes relevant to all…

Some ways in which microcomputers can contribute to the quality of instruction are outlined and problems that limit their usefulness, particularly the scarcity of good software, are discussed. The advantages of using microcomputers as instructional tools are identified as more active learning, more varied sensory and conceptual modes, learning…

A series of studies conducted to identify the factors that block and unblock problem solving is described. Through the construction of an isomorph of the classic "water jar" problems developed by A. S. Luchins (1942) as a dynamic graphic micro-world, several factors involved in producing blocked states were identified. Subjects included…

This paper presents a perspective of the current state of technology-assisted instruction integrating computer language, artificial intelligence (AI), and a review of cognitive science applied to instruction. The following topics are briefly discussed: (1) the language of instructional technology, i.e., programming languages, including authoring…

The various criteria upon which interactive video courseware can be judged are outlined. The criteria relate to the critical areas of program usage, content, interactivity, production, presentation, design, and programming. The mnemonic HICUPPP is introduced to describe seven key areas that categorize criteria which can be used to evaluate…

These presentations offer information on the benefits of using computer-assisted instruction (CAI) for remedial education. First, William J. Hierstein offers a summary of the Computer Assisted Basic Skills Project conducted by Southeastern Community College at the Iowa State Penitentiary. Hierstein provides background on the funding for the…

The Basic Skills Keyboards is a software program that features a variety of game files presented in ways tied to the cognitive deficits associated with autism. The program is based on the hypothesis that such students have problems with cause-effect, means-end, and personal agency, and would develop a working knowledge of these relationships via…

A computer implementation of precision teaching for severely mentally handicapped students is described. Computer technology reduces staff time during a typical precision teaching routine: design of suitable teaching programs, a series of timed short drills using these programs, conversion of results into numeric quantities, and design of improved…

Twelve hearing impaired children (aged 2-5 years) were trained to use a novel interactive microcomputer system with a special interface word keyboard which builds in perceptual salience, individualized vocabulary, animation, and color graphics in a two-person-plus computer communication system. Ss were taught to press keys with words and short…

The paper addresses three major concerns associated with incorporating microcomputers into educational settings: computer use, software selection, and hardware selection. Advantages of the computer in instructional settings are noted as well as its limitations. Staff is advised to select which of four applications is appropriate to their setting…

SPIRIT is an Intelligent Tutoring System for tutoring probability theory which has evolved through a continuous process of experimentation and tuning. The system manages a unique flexible tutoring style. On one hand, the system may behave as a tutor who mostly observes the student without interference, intervening only when things are really going…