Many school districts let teachers take computers home over the summer to improve their skills. The article shares strategies about computer use, liability, borrowing, and moving from school to home. It suggests summer projects such as learning to use computerized gradebooks, learning new programs, and computerizing lesson plans and tests. (SM)

Discusses the definition of multimedia and describes various storage platforms currently in use as well as future possibilities. Highlights include interactive video; digital-based storage platforms; CD-ROM; digital video interactive (DVI); compact disc-interactive (CD-I); Commodore dynamic total vision (CDTV); CD-ROM extended architecture (CD-ROM…

Describes a study of the design and operation of 13 community college writing centers, which assist students with planning, drafting, and revising essays and research projects, often with word-processing and computer support. Reviews staffing patterns, facilities, services, clientele, hours of operation, budget, evaluations, and plans for…

Investigates potential uses for spreadsheets that generate graphical representations, and explores complex sheets that can be used purely as demonstrations, which require far less time and expertise than writing equivalent computer programs. Includes several spreadsheet examples using Microsoft Excel. (JJK)

Teachers discuss how to make the most of technology in the classroom during a tight economy. Ideas include recycling computer printer ribbons, buying replacement batteries for computer power supply packs, upgrading via software, and soliciting donated computer equipment. (SM)

Accepting the great motivational value of computers in second-language learning, this article describes ways to use authentic language recorded on a computer with HyperCard. Graphics, sound, and hardware/software requirements are noted, along with brief descriptions of programing with sound and specific programs. (LB)

A list of computerized exercises, grade books, test generators and other software from eight publishers is presented. Information is given on generic software, other types of computer programs provided by the publisher, and text-specific computer exercises. Advantages or disadvantages are not discussed. (LB)

Almost all students in a study of an integrated instructional approach indicated that using a computer and workbook was very helpful in understanding financial accounting. A related study found that students with lower reading levels benefited most from this approach, and withdrawal dropped from 10 percent to 2 percent. (JOW)

Based on experiences at Empire State College, the potential of computer-mediated communication for preservice and inservice teacher education is examined. The use of electronic mail, synchronous and asynchronous links, online sources, uploading, and downloading are discussed. The need for teachers to master these skills as part of their…

Examines three aspects of computer technology that allow learners to develop cognitive and metacognitive skills and that facilitate learner autonomy: database organization in a self-access facility, computer-assisted language learning, and the use of menus to organize programs and files. An argument is made that technology should neither control…

Summarizes purpose, membership, services, publications, conferences, and activities of the Association for the Development of Computer-Based Instructional Systems; Association for Educational Communications and Technology; Association for Media and Technology in Education in Canada; International Society for Technology in Education; International…

Argues that advent of computer-aided instruction (CAI) systems for teaching introductory computer programing makes it imperative that software be developed to automate assessment and grading of student programs. Examples of typical student programing problems are given, and application of the Unix tools Lex and Yacc to the automatic assessment of…

Describes Prolog programing language and provides an overview of articles in this special issue and a forthcoming one that focus on improving the use of Prolog in elementary and secondary schools as well as colleges. Topics discussed include problems related to teaching and learning Prolog, and students and their misconceptions about Prolog. (38…

A Macintosh-based project that uses HyperCard to create computer-assisted lessons for composition classes is described. Ways that students have improved their writing skills are discussed, along with ways that the software has changed teaching techniques. (LB)

Discusses intelligent computer-aided learning (ICAL) support systems and considers learner characteristics as elements of ICAL student models. Cybernetic theory and attribute-treatment results are discussed, six components of a student model for tutoring are described, and methods for determining the student's model of the tutor are examined. (22…