Discusses the use of two different computer applications to teaching college chemistry. Describes the "electric laboratory notebook" (ELN) courseware and its use in an instrumental analysis course. Provides an overview of the use of commercial spreadsheet programs in the chemistry laboratory. (TW)

Reports on a study which investigated the possibility of improving five-year-olds' critical thinking skills in reading and mathematics by using computers. Results indicate improvement in the reading area but not in the mathematics area. (RKM)

Reports on a study that investigated the effects of various instructional practices on programming proficiency focusing on characteristics of Pascal classes. States that instructional practices involve extensive on-line access, explicit instruction, and extensive feedback. (ML)

Reports on a study designed to investigate the attitudes of practicing teachers and student teachers regarding the educational use of computers. Results indicated that both groups of teachers surveyed believed their students should be computer literate and advocated the increased use of computers in education. (TW)

Presents reviews of six software packages. Includes (1) "Plain Vanilla Statistics"; (2) "MathCAD 2.0"; (3) "GrFx"; (4) "Trigonometry"; (5) "Algebra II"; (6) "Algebra Drill and Practice I, II, and III." (PK)

The article describes a three-year research project to develop an applications model to successfully integrate technology in the instruction of mild and moderately handicapped elementary grade students. The model focuses on decisions of in-school agents in such areas as identification of content, instructional methods, organization of instruction,…

Two studies addressed various issues concerning the use of microcomputers in the classroom. One focused on the attitudes and concerns of teachers regarding the use of innovation, such as microcomputers, in instruction; the second explained the integration of Logo learning environments into the mathematics curriculum of primary schools in Belgium.…

Three articles on the use of new technologies in education focus on (1) Digital Video Interactive (DVI) Technology and its value in designing and developing educational materials for children; (2) problem solving with computers by using functions; and (3) new information technology and educational change in Norway. (LRW)

Discussion of control over sequence of instruction in computer-assisted instruction (CAI) focuses on a follow-up study that examined the effects of the breadth and depth of menus and the meaningfulness of menu category names on the learning and attitudes of college students. Posttests are described, and results are analyzed. (16 references) (LRW)

Describes spatial and sequential learning strategies and how they affect student performance and progress in second-language learning. Briefly describes a test identifying preferred style. Suggests how instructors can then individualize instruction. Outlines the way VOCAL, a multilingual authoring system, can be used in a language laboratory for…

Reviews two software packages; "Block It, An Instructional Game" and "Conquering Whole Numbers." The first is a simulation game which uses graphic representation of base-ten blocks to reinforce place value and regrouping. The second package is designed to give students in grades three through six practice in computation. (PK)

Reviews the major types of computer aids to invention to reveal the paper-based design paradigm that characterizes them. Discusses implications of this "old paradigm" and suggests directions for developing new, uniquely electronic paradigms for future aids. (AEW)

Describes Pathfinder, a microcomputer software package designed to improve students' understanding and skills in interpreting graphs of physical phenomena which was tested in high school math classes. Differences in strategies between various ability levels are reported, and student interactions based on observations and interviews are discussed.…

The origins, organization, and methods of a Columbia University course offering computer-based instruction in French composition are outlined, and the progress of four individual students is described. (MSE)

Description of a study which formulated a model of the cognitive processes involved in learning statistics material via computer assisted learning (CAL) focuses on mode of presentation (aural or visual), sequence of the material, and previous mathematical experience. Textual analysis is discussed and implications of the results for design of CAL…