A program is described that successfully teaches decoding to poor readers of average or above intelligence in grades 1 through 8. The teacher-directed, supplemental program guides students to become aware of language patterns and consistencies and to apply a decoding process of using known language patterns to figure out unknown words. (Author/JDD)

Techniques for estimating pi using the microcomputer are demonstrated. Four BASIC programs, coded from pi generating formulas, are compared for efficiency. (PK)

Reviews six software packages for use with school age children ranging from grade 3 to grade 12. Includes "The Microcomputer Based Lab Project: Motion, Sound"; "Genetics"; "Geologic History"; "The Microscope Simulator"; and "Wiz Works" all for Apple II and "Reading for Information: Level…

Presents a set of teaching activities which deal with the pet overpopulation problem while improving students' persuasive writing skills. Includes activities that focus on how people can solve problems by working together. The activities range from songs to a computer simulation. (TW)

Describes recent research findings in the area of neurobiology and its relationship to learning and memory. The article provides definitions of associative and nonassociative learning, identifies essential memory trace circuits of the mammalian brain, and discusses some neural mechanisms of learning. (TW)

A legislative proposal by the Association of American Universities calls for creation of a federal agency similar to the National Science Foundation to develop and promote a national policy of support for foreign language, area, and international studies research and instruction at colleges, universities, and other institutions. (MSE)

Teachers (N=39), administrators (N=9), and a speech therapist working with deaf students rated 240 competencies for teaching English as a symbol system. The top 38 competencies involved practical teaching skills and techniques. Competencies related to the oral-aural method, theory, and background information about deafness were not given high…

High school students' misunderstandings of the conceptual machine of the BASIC programming language were examined using a screening test and structured interviews to determine their understanding of fundamental concepts such as variables, assignments, loops, flow and control, and tracing and debugging. (MBR)

Three ideas for class activities are described: comprehension of newspaper and magazine headlines and titles; the pronunciation, formation, and use of acronyms; and the extraction and elaboration of a story from a popular song. (MSE)

Reports on a study that was designed to investigate possible effects of inservice instruction (BASIC and LOGO/PILOT) on teachers' mathematical anxiety. Results indicated that teachers enrolled in BASIC programing courses manifested more mathematics anxiety after the course than those who were enrolled in a LOGO/PILOT course. (ML)

The teachers of second languages and the teachers of social studies share a weighty responsibility to help students move toward global understanding and multicultural awareness. Possible areas of cooperation between the two disciplines, as well as constraints, are discussed. (RM)

Discusses philosophical considerations that should be taken into account when developing materials to teach programing at elementary and secondary levels and outlines a learning environment based on these considerations. Philosophical considerations discussed relate to programing strategies, motivation, curriculum materials, continuity, visual and…

Individual papers discussing various facets of human relationships with interactive computer systems present an analysis of direct manipulation interfaces; discuss notion of conceptual models shared by system and user and propose a design methodology for delivering models to users; and address the intelligibility of systems and importance of…

Describes the computer hardware and software programs developed by Anne Arundel County, Maryland to integrate the use of the computer into upper level literature classes. A study undertaken to determine whether computers in Spanish and French classes made a difference in language learning is also described. No significant differences were found.…

Describes a study into what happens when academics who learned English for Special Purposes broadened their goals and attempted reading geared to those with a knowledge of "general" English. Results showed that participant comprehension increased significantly, but reading speed did not consistently increase. (Author/SED)