Describes study designed to investigate the effectiveness of personalizing verbal math problems on division of fractions for fifth and sixth grades using microcomputer-generated lessons. Treatment and control group results are analyzed, and results support the hypothesis that the personalized context group was superior in problem solving and had…

Reports on performance aspects of educators' person-environment congruence as defined by Holland's occupational classification system. Concludes that the majority were of the Social, Conventional, or Enterprising types and oriented toward non-classroom use of computer literacy developed in the course. (RT)

Suggests that a solution to the problem of expensive educational software may be found in public domain software. Included are a definition of public domain software, a discussion of the kinds of software that are in the public domain, ways to obtain such software, and a list of some examples. (PK)

Presents summaries of research studies related to instructional computer use: three compare word processed and handwritten text of students with and without learning disabilities; one compares student retrieval skills using print and electronic encyclopedias; and one examines computer use by math and science teachers via data from a U.S. national…

Presents reviews of six computer software programs for teaching science. Provides the publisher, grade level, cost, and descriptions of software, including: (1) "Recycling Logic"; (2) "Introduction to Biochemistry"; (3) "Food for Thought"; (4) "Watts in a Home"; (5) "Geology in Action"; and (6)…

Writing for the BBC World Service "Short Story" Program provides English as a second language students with the necessary conditions for "authentic writing," namely authentic and communicative writing practice, encouragement of language acquisition, and improvement of the teacher student relationship. (CB)

A shortage of English teachers at Jinan University led to video and computers being used to present lessons and provide written exercises and tests. A sample computer-based lesson on reading comprehension is appended. (Author/CB)

Provides reviews of six computer software programs designed for use in elementary science education programs. Provides the title, publisher, grade level, and descriptions of courseware on ant farms, drugs, genetics, beachcombing, matter, and test generation. (TW)

Presents reviews of the four software packages "Blockers and Finders,""Decimal Squares Computer Programs: Decimal Concepts, Addition and Subtraction, Multiplication and Division, and a Data Disk,""Number Stumper," and "Object Logo, Version 1.5." The software packages include problem-solving activities and drill and practice programs. (PK)

Surveys the current status of artificial intelligence (AI) technology. Discusses intelligent tutoring systems, robotics, and applications for educators. Likens the status of AI at present to that of aviation in the very early 1900s. States that educators need to be involved in future debates concerning AI. (CW)

Describes use of the interactive video in schools in the United Kingdom. Summarizes the content of eight new videodiscs. Enumerates investigations designed to field test the materials and describes the type of feedback to be provided by schools. (CW)

Provides a list of evaluation services currently producing critical reviews of educational software. Includes information about The Apple K-12 Curriculum Software Reference, The Educational Software Preview, The Educational Software Selector, MicroSIFT, and Only The Best: The Discriminating Guide for Preschool-Grade 12. (TW)

Reviews the results and implications of the 1985 National Survey of Instructional Uses of School Computers, a survey of elementary and secondary schools which examined teacher use as well as student use. Differences in student use are reported according to grade level, subject, ability level, and gender. (LRW)

This study of 272 13-year-old science students in England focuses on the effect of varied text and picture content on learning. A criterion-referenced objective items test was used to measure the effect of pictures on students of varying abilities and compare the effectiveness of traditional worksheet presentation and microcomputer presentation.…

Reports findings of the National Task Force on Educational Technology. Includes sections on transforming education, observations on the status of technology education, the potential of technology in education, educational applications of technology, and effects on education. Offers broad recommendations for future uses of technology in education.…