Discusses rapid changes in use of computers and related technologies in colleges and universities; the impact of current inequities in precollege access and use of computers experienced by African-American, Hispanic, and American Indian students; and strategies and recommendations to enhance the computer competence of minority students in colleges…

Describes a taxonomy of computer user modes in distance education and identifies three major learning and behavioral processes that are extended by computers: (1) information processing; (2) interaction; and (3) communication. Highlights for each process include the relationship to other media, pedagogical functions, hardware and software, and…

Discussion of computer simulations used for exploratory learning focuses on the design of a hypothesis scratchpad that students can use for hypothesis generation and testing. An experiment with college chemistry students that compared three versions of the scratchpad is described, and the effect of the scratchpads on learning environments is…

Discusses gender differences in the use of computers in education based on a review of the literature. Highlights include prior exposure to computers; access to home computers; influences from the socialization process, including sex stereotypes; and differences in learning processes, including innate perceptual differences. (19 references) (LRW)

Presents a constructivist framework for educational reform. Describes technology's role in child-driven learning. Supports a wholesale revision of educational practice that focuses on children's competencies and integrates technology so that it supports the deeper more reflective self-directed activity children must use if they are to become…

Synthesized speech was added to a word processor used by children in grades two and five. Each student wrote four stories on a microcomputer and received spoken feedback on two of them. It was found that students wrote longer stories, edited more, and enjoyed writing more with the spoken feedback. (24 references) (LAE)

Compares the use of computer-based training (CBT) and interactive videodisc (IVD) for education and training. Highlights include research about CBT, including administrative strengths, cost effectiveness, motivation, feedback, and lesson control; steps involved in producing CBT and IVD materials; research about IVD, including content and learner…

Suggests using simulated data to teach students about the nature and use of statistical tests and measures. Observes that simulated data contains built-in pure relationships with no poor response rates or coding or sampling errors. Recommends suitable software. Includes information on using data sets, demonstrating statistical principles, and…

Describes six types of instructional technology used in the nuclear industry: Study Pacs, computerized test banks, computer-based training, interactive videodisc, artificial intelligence, and full-scope simulation. Each description presents the need, training device, outcomes, and limitations or constraints on use. (SK)

Describes research conducted with employees of the NCR Corporation that examined relationships between learning style preference, as measured by the Kolb Learning Style Inventory, and the effectiveness and acceptance of interactive video instruction to determine how best to individualize instruction. (13 references) (LRW)

Describes the development of an instructional technology-based training course for a Hewlett Packard manufacturing plant. The environment, an appropriately trained staff, and a development strategy with measurable goals are discussed; a comparison of conventional training with self-paced courseware is described; and learning effectiveness and…

Reports on the results of two experiments testing the effectiveness of a concept-based computer tutorial for OPAC (online public access catalog) users. Factors that may have caused differences in results, including OPACs used in the experiments and the participants' different ability levels, are discussed. Findings are related to similar studies.…

Reports on a survey of California State University system faculty to examine the extent to which they utilized computers professionally and to determine their computing resource needs. Responses from 237 faculty members were analyzed for differences in gender, existing computing skills, integration of computing into instruction, use of…

Describes the design of a hypermedia application, "Set on Freedom," on the American civil rights movement and presents preliminary qualitative and quantitative research on its use in a seventh- and eighth-grade classroom. Results suggest that hypermedia applications can be designed to support development of historical thinking. (Contains…

Using recorded music in elementary classrooms encourages creative learning. The article offers ideas for using music in language arts and social studies; suggestions for using literature about children's songs to promote classroom unity; a model for using computers to integrate music, language, and art; and a guide to music resources. (SM)