Describes Philips Interactive Laser Vision Authoring System (PHILVAS), a special-purpose authoring system designed to prepare programs for controlling interactive video systems. Ease of authoring with PHILVAS is illustrated by a case study and comparisons with two other dialog programing tools. Advantages of PHILVAS are listed. (MBR)

Describes a technique to improve the adaptation, development, and utilization of laboratory worksheets. Two sample worksheets (on decomposition of ethanol and on solubility of potassium chloride) are included. (JN)

The need to include an audio component in computer-assisted instruction in French is discussed and an attempted solution is described in terms of a suite of programs designed to facilitate the creation and use of dictation practice materials. (Author/SED)

Examples of international interinstitutional collaboration in instructional material development and exchange in Canada and Hong Kong are described. Considerations in establishing such collaborative arrangements are outlined, including organizational and technical issues such as support and copyrights. (MSE)

Describes a survey of members of the Educational Software Evaluation Consortium that resulted in a ranked list of 22 criteria used in preparing their annual software preview guide. Noting that content and pedagogical concerns received the highest rankings, the report offers five recommendations for future software development, evaluation, and…

Discusses development and use of Open Learning Institute's computerized course development and production systems which solved some of the inherent problems in course writing. A network of microcomputers which facilitates preparation of production-ready manuscripts and course authoring templates constructed from word processing software is…

Describes the Adjusted Agreement Index, a strategy for analyzing collected data from questionnaires utilizing Likert-type scales. Steps involved in using this index and its strengths and weaknesses are outlined, and a case study illustrating how it was used to summarize data on a distance education course package is presented. (MBR)

Gives a detailed description of the constructon of equipment needed for redox equilibria experiments and the measurement of the electromotive force of voltaic cells. This information is provided to solve the problem of inadequate, expensive equipment required for A-level chemistry practical work. (JN)

Discusses contemporary theory on the comprehension process in first language reading research and psychology. Examines beliefs, materials, and classroom behaviors which have been under recent discussion and applies the theory of comprehension--that comprehension is the process of relating incoming or new information to information already stored…

Presents a conceptual framework for design of business games in which output is in the form of service. The framework is presented as three separate systems--the physical, the financial, and the external environment. A hotel management game is used to illustrate the discussion. (Author/MBR)

Describes two techniques for making 35 millimeter slides without using photographic film. One method uses clear adhesive contact paper and the other uses transparency film. Both techniques are inexpensive and require only a few minutes of preparation per slide. (JM)

Provides a list of statements which focus on: (1) computers in education; (2) the current situation with computers in schools; (3) courseware production; and (4) computers and the future of education. One of the points noted is that training is a major problem since few districts are approaching it adequately. (JN)

A serious academic curriculum must ask students, particularly in high school, to critically analyze and evaluate primary sources of information. How a lesson was developed around conflicting Senate testimony over the 1892 Homestead Steel Strike is described. Teachers can easily produce such lessons. (RM)

Provides guidelines for building self-instructional training packages to teach beginning microcomputer skills at any age level. Five steps are explained: outline curriculum and objectives, structure one lesson, produce the instruction, package the materials, and manage the lesson. (MBR)

Compares the theories of Chomsky and Fillmore. By representing "case" as a feature of lexical items, the deep/surface distinction can be eliminated, and the resulting "lexicase" framework looks promising as a basis for the design of language teaching materials. (Author/RM)