Discusses the differences between the uses of microcomputers and minicomputers as educational tools. Outlines how a Maryland school district overcame the drawbacks it found in using microcomputers by developing a more comprehensive computer-assisted instruction program using minicomputers. (MD)

Presents biology, chemistry, physics, and health activities, experiments, demonstrations, and computer programs. Includes mechanism of stomatal opening, using aquatic plants to help demonstrate chemical buffering, microbial activity/contamination in milk samples, computer computation of fitness scores, reservoir project, complexes of transition…

Describes a microcomputer-based, multichannel digital data acquisition system for acoustic signals. Hardware and software considerations are included. (JN)

Planning for the Modesto City School's introductory computer education program involved six questions: (1) What should students learn? (2) How should they learn it? (3) How long should/does it take? (4) How well are students learning it? (5) Can we do it better? and (6) Can we do it in less time? (LMO)

The Irvine Unified School District developed a Master Plan and Guide for Computer Utilization, outlining major goals in microcomputer and mainframe computer use. Educational objectives were identified, and a three-year staff development plan was implemented. (LMO)

Raises several major concerns of educators in the adoption of interactive video for instructional purposes. Identifies a number of useful sources of information for those who want to address these concerns. (FL)

The article analyzes computer software for learning disabled students in the areas of language arts, math, social studies, science, and miscellaneous skills (such as reasoning and problem solving). Software is evaluated in terms of general aspects (including reading and interest level methodology, curricular considerations, and student-computer…

This examination of ways to use general-purpose commercial software to assist in the management of library media centers focuses on database management programs, word processing, authoring systems, and calculator (spreadsheet) programs. System requirements and purchasing information for representative programs (address, price) are provided. Six…

Outlines research conducted at Brigham Young University to identify effective, efficient computer-based drill and practice instructional strategies for teaching paired associate or multiple discrimination tasks. A sophisticated computer-based drill and practice is contrasted with a simple flashcard strategy. Research supporting the sophisticated…

Describes five criteria for computer literacy. Explains need for computer literacy in rural schools. Notes teachers' apparent resistance to learning about computers. Describes a study of attitudes of 119 teachers and prospective rural teachers toward and their awareness of computer applications. Makes recommendations regarding computer education…

Presents background information and the listing for a LOGO computer program which investigates an ancient mathematical riddle (related to the square root of seventeen). The simulation, written for Apple II microcomputers, can be easily adapted to other microcomputers. (JN)

Examines various types of software useful in teaching about nuclear energy. Includes a list of 11 software resources (including program name, source and cost, system requirements, and brief comments about the program). (JN)

Correlations derived from this study indicate that undergraduate students' (N=24) and graduate students' (N=18) performance in statistical methods is not strongly influenced by their aptitude in computer science. One implication is that no computer science prerequisite is necessary for courses utilizing statistical packages. (JN)

For social studies teachers who want to create their own software, authoring systems and authoring languages offer an interesting avenue to be explored. An authoring system available from Courseware, Inc., (California) and the authoring language PILOT available from Apple Computer (California) are described. (RM)

This article reviews the history and present status of interactional computerized assessment systems. It concludes that automated assessment is at a rudimentary stage of development especially in school psychology. Further research and development on tests specifically designed for computerization, rather than adapting existing tests to…