This Brief first summarizes research findings regarding computer-assisted instruction (CAI) and its effectiveness in adult literacy education programs. The following findings are given: CAI is effective for a significant number of adult learners; CAI is effective because it provides the adult learner with flexibility, control, individualization,…

A study investigated the learning styles of remedial students and the implications for computer-assisted instruction. The subjects were 31 sixth-grade Chapter 1 students from a middle school in Idaho who did not have learning disabilities nor were candidates for special education. The subjects were given the Reading Style Inventory (RSI). Results…

Computer technology (primarily word processing) enables the student of public relations writing to improve the writing process through increased flexibility in writing, enhanced creativity, increased support of management skills and team work. A new instructional model for computer use in public relations courses at Purdue University Calumet…

This handbook is intended to guide the vocational educator through the task of selecting and evaluating software for the vocational curriculum. Section 1 focuses on computer-based education. Chapter 1 defines computer-based education and the hardware and software required when the computer is used as an educational delivery system. Chapter 2…

In order to assess the effects of wordprocessing on the writing of first-year students in a college of applied arts and technology, a project at Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology in Ontario, Canada followed a large population of students as they entered college, were taught to use wordprocessing in their writing, and used it throughout…

A 10-week study examined whether the use of computers could be more effective than basal readers for improving reading comprehension at the primary level. Subjects, 12 students from the second grade, were divided into two groups, 6 in the experimental group using computers only and 6 in the control group using basal readers only. Both groups used…

Appropriate software can turn the microcomputer from the dumb box into a teaching tool. One resource for finding appropriate software is the organization Edunet. It allows the user to access the mainframe of 18 major universities and has developed a communications network with 130 colleges. It also handles billing, does periodic software…

The report summarized findings from a study of organizational issues involved in the use of microcomputers in special education programs in 12 school districts. Background of the study and details on site selection were given. Features of the selected districts (urbanicity, number of schools, enrollment, predominant ethnicity, and number of…

This paper explores the conceptual aspect of educational technology, identifies recurring limitations of instructional technologies often overlooked by their proponents, and examines the politics of and barriers to educational innovation, particularly in the field of computer assisted instruction (CAI). It is noted that, despite glowing…

The guide presents annotations for 191 references (1972-1982) dealing with computer technology for physically and developmentally handicapped persons. Citations are arranged alphabetically by author and include title, source, date, and a brief summary. A subject index follows the author index and lists references for topics such as communication,…

This document presents computer-based lessons used to teach basic library skills to college students at York College of the City University of New York. The information for library orientation has been entered on a disk which must be used in conjunction with a word processing program, the Applewriter IIe, and an Apple IIe microcomputer. The…

Telephone interviews on the use of microcomputers in special education were administered to personnel in 25 districts (drawn from a random sample of the largest school districts in the United States) on the following topics: coordination of microcomputers; numbers of microcomputers owned and used; pragmatic uses; funding; brands used; selection,…

A national survey was conducted during the 1987-88 academic year to investigate the characteristics of selected high quality elementary schools known for their support of instructional technology. Of the 73 schools contacted, 70% responded to the survey. The findings showed that available computer time was most often divided among three major…

Increasing use of computer programs for undergraduate psychology education has raised concern over the impact of computer anxiety on educational performance. Additionally, some researchers have indicated that classroom computer use can exacerbate pre-existing computer anxiety. To evaluate the relationship between in-class computer use and computer…

The 46 papers is this volume represent some of the most current thinking in educational communications and technology. Individual papers address the following topics: gender differences in the selection of elective computer science courses and in the selection of non-traditional careers; instruction for individuals with different cognitive styles;…