This review focuses on microcomputer software designed to improve the writing skills of students of English as a Second Language (ESL) at the college level. It presents a case for the use of computers in teaching ESL, provides guidelines and suggestions for evaluating or creating software and programs, and reviews representative software,…

While it is a common complaint that there are no established standards for determining what constitutes quality foreign language software, a 1984 review of the literature revealed that there exists more consensus than confusion. Although there are not many articles that directly address the issue of quality software, many writers do touch on the…

English teachers tend to welcome computers uncritically into the classroom, resulting in three problem areas: (1) a lack of critical thinking about computers and their role in writing pedagogy; (2) a limited selection of computer-assisted instruction that is both theoretically and pedagogically sound; and (3) a limited program of research on the…

Designed to instruct both elementary school teachers and students in the practical use of computers, this manual contains 20 sample drill and practice examples of computer aided instructional programs. The programs were written using a TRS-80 Model III microcomputer, but can be adapted to most other microcomputers that utilize the BASIC language.…

The current state of computer literacy and computer use among Anchorage School District elementary classroom teachers was assessed with a sample of four schools. Computer literacy was considered as the general range of skills and understandings needed to utilize a computer in the classroom effectively. A 17-item questionnaire, administered to 82…

This article describes an approach to modifying science students' alternative conceptions of physical phenomena by means of diagnostic and remedial microcomputer programs designed in accord with a model of conceptual change. Current applications of microcomputers are discussed, including numerical work, drill and testing, tutorials, simulation,…

Reviews the use of computers in the teaching and practice of writing in university courses. Highlights include hardware considerations; software options for grammar, punctuation, stylistic analysis, and prewriting (or invention) skills; artificial intelligence, composition, and literature; collaborative learning; and faculty development. (LRW)

Discusses the development and field testing of a prototype genetics tutor program for microcomputers written in Turbo Pascal. A preliminary field test with undergraduates is described that was used as formative evaluation, and suggestions are given for designing a more effective tutor that uses additional intelligent computer-assisted instruction…

Describes three types of computer-assisted language learning programs which have been developed in English and Russian, addressing: (1) complex, cyclical, and generative programs; (2) preparatory to communication programs; and (3) stimulating communication programs. (Author/CB)

Discusses the theoretical basis, implementation, and pedagogical considerations of CALLE (Computer-Aided Language Learning Environment), a dialogue-based beginning Spanish language instruction system. CALLE uses Lexical Functional Grammar Theory to analyze errors in student input. Sample screen is shown. (Author/LMO)

SPANLAP (SPANish LAnguage Processing) is a computer program which attempts to engage students of Spanish in a free-form written dialog by allowing them to ask questions. The morphological and syntactic parsing process used in SPANLAP is explained. Sample dialog illustrates limitations of the current model. (Author/LMO)

Outlines the design considerations that go into making an authoring system. Uses examples from the author's system, "Private Tutor," to illustrate. Emphasis is on the concepts that define the operation of the authoring system. Also discusses design principles of "Private Tutor" in relation to the Macintosh computer. (Author/LMO)

Summarizes six research studies relating to computers in education. The research areas include the use of computer-generated graphs in critical evaluation and in learning distance and velocity concepts, sex differences in graphing skills, student evaluation of courseware, career paths of women with technological education, and characteristics of…

Describes methods used to evaluate software for microcomputers in Japanese elementary and middle schools. Completion of an evaluation checklist by experienced teachers is described, the cluster analysis used is reviewed, and characteristics of available software are discussed and analyzed to assess their learning and teaching efficiency.…

The article describes courseware developed by Project LIVE (Learning Through Interactive Video Education), designed to teach generic, cognitive independent living skills to mentally handicapped adolescents. The curriculum focuses on Life Enhancement Skills as content domain, uses multiple teaching strategies (e.g., verbal rehearsal), and…