A discussion of the functional approach to second language teaching looks at its theoretical foundations and their relationship to communicative language instruction. It locates the origins of the functional approach in early twentieth-century British linguistics and the three key concepts of context of situation, language function, and meaning…

The goal of a project was to reconcile current testing services and practice as related to vocational assessment with the requirements for testing itemized by Federal regulations implementing Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. A review of research related to the problem of testing and conducting a vocational assessment of handicapped…

This paper contains a concise summary of the theory and practice of competency-based education, especially as it applies to adult education. The paper first defines competency-based education (CBE) and details the assumptions on which CBE is based. It then lists the critical components for effective CBE and cites the advantages of using a…

A promising new development in science education is the use of microcomputer-based laboratory tools that allow for student-directed data acquisition, display, and analysis. Microcomputer-based laboratories (MBL) make use of inexpensive microcomputer-connected probes to measure such physical quantities as temperature, position, and various…

The goals of this study were to understand the expectations of both designers and teachers for the design and use of packages that integrate computer and television technologies, and to investigate the implementation of these packages in the classroom. Interviews were conducted with eight designers of "The Voyage of the Mimi" (MIMI), a…

A study examined the development and implementation of an interactive video instruction system for teaching electronics and industrial maintenance at the University of Tennessee. The specific purposes of the study were to document unusual problems that may be encountered when this new technology is implemented, suggest corrective actions, and…

Microcomputer software can provide excellent drill and practice, simulations, and problem-solving. Yet, software developers often have designed elaborate graphics and unique characters in lieu of sound instructional programming. Many instructional programs for learning-disabled students do not provide appropriate reading levels, the opportunity to…

Implementation of a language modernization process such as one occurring in the Pacific basin is as important as the policy development behind it. Three critical factors in implementation are teacher training, the development of good teaching materials, and a plan for evaluating program effectiveness. Attempts to meet the need for good…

As part of its ongoing effort to develop Army embedded training (ET) systems in which a tactical computer system is used to train personnel about its own utilization, a project was conducted to develop and evaluate courseware on how to program lessons for computer assisted instruction (CAI). Since PLANIT (Programing Language for Interactive…

Recent research and current trends in the field of computers and education are reflected in this collection of reviewed papers, tutorials, panels, project presentations and other sessions. More than 80 papers are grouped in the following topic areas: administrative applications, composition and literature, computing for the learning disabled or…

The development of a two week summer institute for seventh and eighth grade students who are gifted in math and science and are interested in computers is summarized, and various project materials are appended. Objectives of the 1982 microcomputer summer institute, which was sponsored by the State University of New York at Albany, included:…

One of the most effective vehicles for testing students is new material, but it is frequently difficult to find selections by authors with whom students have no familiarity or about whom an abundance of critical material does not exist. The works of Lawrence Ferlinghetti provide an excellent source not only for testing knowledge, but also for…

Based on the premise that the production strategy and the production approach have a strong impact on quality courseware development, a survey was conducted in 1987 to evaluate the development processes used for computer-assisted instruction curriculum materials. Questionnaires were sent to 64 institutions of higher education in England, the…

This sourcebook on educational technology materials was developed in conjunction with a regional workshop on "The Use of Educational Technology by Teachers," which was held in September 1985 and attended by participants and observers from Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea,…

Designed to appeal to students who want a short but up-to-date overview, researchers who are interested in a critical appraisal, and consumers who would like to know what leaders in the field think, this collection of articles highlights the changes that have occurred in readability research from the past to the present and makes predictions about…