The article examines recent literature on the promised benefits of microcomputer application in teaching mildly handicapped students, and analyzes the extent to which research has revealed positive results in eight areas of effective instructional practice (e.g., motivation, self-concept, direct instruction, drill and practice, and writing…

The author discusses issues that should be considered in choosing appropriate software for a specific instructional use. (CH)

Reports on how experts in special education approach the problem of software selection. Offers guidance in examining if the software is modifiable and if it offers record-keeping options. Also contains a listing of sample programs that are suitable for special education students in language arts, mathematics, and problem solving. (ML)

Describes the "Computer Software Inquiry Inventory" (CSI), which was designed for content analysis of inquiry-based science computer software. Explains the five basic features of the instrument. Includes analyses of two programs using the CSI categories of evaluation. (ML)

The question of ownership of courseware development decisions made by subject matter specialists working with skilled programmers, an issue arising from the team approach to developing high-quality courseware, is examined in the context of two universities' and one corporation's current use of the approach. (MSE)

Introduces the range of computer software currently available to aid in developing children's basic skills in reading, including programs for reading readiness, word recognition, vocabulary development, reading comprehension, and learning motivation. Additional information on software and computer use is provided in sidebars by Gwen Solomon and…

Explores ways in which microcomputers may be used in classrooms, both to enhance academic skills and to allow students to interact directly with students in other cultures. Examines the transmission and the interactional pedagogical models in terms of using computers for teaching writing and instituting cultural exchange networks. (SED)

Describes adoption of microcomputer tutorial for library orientation at state-owned school of approximately 2,800 students. Highlights include advantages and disadvantages of microcomputer-assisted instruction, production of tutorial software, the program, evaluation, and revisions. Goals for library instruction and sampling of questions used to…

Surveyed currently available software in the physical sciences, biological sciences, and earth/space sciences. Also examined interdisciplnary and remedial programs. One finding is that the emphasis in science education software is for high school and college students with little software for junior high school teachers or students. (JN)

Presents the latest hardware, and pedagogical and theoretical advances in computer-assisted language learning and describes an actual design implementation in a Spanish course. (Author/SED)

Argues that much software designed for children needing remedial education is inappropriate, and a more relevant approach can be found in cognitive learning theory. These issues are discussed with reference to application of principle derived from cognitive and language development model to software designed for children with severe language…

Promotes the use of the microcomputer in mathematics instruction, reviewing approaches to teaching nonlinear equations. Examples of computer diagrams are illustrated and compared to textbook samples. An example of a problem-solving program is included. (ML)

Briefly examines the components of mathematical problem solving instruction, suggests seven guidelines for computer assisted instruction software in mathematical problem solving, and examines three commercially available examples of such software. (MBR)

A Northern Illinois University elementary teacher education program in which certain courses are taught with the use of self-paced courseware packets is described, and the technique's usefulness in promoting and integrating computer literacy in the curriculum is discussed. (MSE)

Discusses learner/computer interaction, learner control, sequencing of instructional events, and graphic screen design as effective principles for the design of instructional software, including tutorials. (MBR)