Formative evaluation has become an acceptable process to use in curriculum development. The article synthesizes the extant literature and reports the application of formative evaluation in the development of microcomputer instructional software. (Author)

The Department of Administrative Programming Services of Clemson University investigated products available in user-friendly retrieval systems. The test of INTELLECT, a natural language query system written by Artifical Intelligence Corporation, is described. (Author/MLW)

Presents results of an investigation into the cognitive engagement processes used by more and less successful learners in a computer problem solving game. Results show records of more and less successful students to be distinguished by spontaneous use of self-regulated learning processes. More successful students shifted to cognitive engagement…

Describes a quantitative evaluation of an interactive videodisc program in which students measure the temperature dependence of the solubility product of lead chloride by titration of chloride with silver nitrate using a Mohr titration. Student reaction (based on responses made using the program, quiz answers, and laboratory performance) was…

Key tailors, desk organizers; text-oriented database programs, outlining programs, thesauruses, spelling checkers, and punctuation and style checkers are described. The functions these programs perform will probably become more common as application programs absorb the functions into their own operation. (Author/MLW)

Describes a Centre Mondial Informatique et Resources Humaines (CIMRH) investigation of kindergarten children's written language learning and links between play and learning. Computer software was used by students for language learning, and observations centered on student computer use, learning of written language and play, and computer…

School psychologists and education students and faculty were asked to distinguish between computer-generated and individually written psychological test comments and indicate cues used in making identifications. Even though results indicate correct identification did not differ significantly from chance, school assessment reports must provide more…

Descriptions of available microcomputer software cover basic software, word processing, database management systems, in-house information retrieval, searching of external online information retrieval systems, in-house library housekeeping, and financial and management software. Checklist of points to consider when acquiring software, 36…

Report on use of the microcomputer for information storage and retrieval (ISR) notes hardware (floppy disks, keyboard, screen, printer); functions of ISR software; standardization of the operating system; database creation; data entry; indexing; search process; choice of ISR software package; software market and user; training and instruction; and…

Suggests having students design a football field (looking at it from above) as the final project of a unit on computer graphics. Includes listings for 13 short Applesoft programs (involving LO- and HI-RES graphics) which students can use in making the field. Advanced students can use the animation techniques. (JN)

An approach to help teachers understand the elementary constructs of the BASIC programing language and to begin writing simple programs is described. Short programs that illustrate educationally sound uses of computers in the classroom are used. A lesson scenario is given, with 10 program listings. (MNS)

Included in this section are brief articles on an algebraic puzzler, periodic decimal fractions with computers, and the arrow method of teaching logarithms. (MNS)

Microcomputers are rapidly making their way into music education. Developments in music computer-assisted instruction are discussed, and computer software for music education is described. (RM)

A program (written in Microsoft BASIC) for the Texas Instrument and IBM microcomputers allows one to eight contestants to select one to six categories of questions to answer in the manner of the game Trivial Pursuit. The structure, use, and educational value of this program are reviewed. Ordering information is included. (JN)

Reviews literature on conceptual conflict as facilitator of student learning and alternative conceptions, describes theories explaining occurence of alternative conceptions and conflict role in conceptual change, discusses a model of learning as conceptual change and its instructional implications, and presents results of studies which apply the…