This digest discusses the nature of interactive videodiscs and their educational applications, provides information about educational uses of videodisc technology, and presents lists of videodisc-related organizations, books, and periodicals. A general description of a reflective optical laser videodisc is presented, as well as the equipment…

Proceedings of the 1985 Invitational Research Symposium on Special Education Technology are summarized. The document contains a summary of each of 28 individual presentations, plus 10 research summaries submitted by individual participants, and 42 summaries on current technology-based research in special education. The first section reviews…

This study compared the achievement scores for students receiving traditional spelling instruction to achievement scores earned with computer aided instruction. Similarly, attitude measures were compared for the same subjects. Fourth- and fifth-grade pupils received traditional spelling instruction for five weeks. For the next five weeks, students…

The use of computer conferencing (CC) to support undergraduate distance learners will, presumably, lower attrition rates for distance learners by providing students with the ability to exchange ideas and develop insights with others, overcoming the intellectual and social isolation associated with correspondence courses. It will be years before…

The dramatic and increasing availabilty of relatively cheap computer power has led people to tout microcomputers as the solution to education and training problems. However, such panaceas for educational problems fail because they do not address the real ingredients for successful instruction or the problems of large-scale implementation.…

Pennsylvania State University has developed, evaluated, and implemented a series of modules and an entire three-credit teacher education course which is offered completely by microcomputer. The course is entitled "Educating Special Learners." The modules use the Apple II series and the IBM PC series. Evaluation of the course, based on…

Research on the use of computers with young handicapped children is summarized. Much of the literature on the topic, it is noted, is speculative; few students are technically sound. Findings are briefly reviewed in terms of the amount of time spent using the computer, social and free play choices, software selection preferences, amount of teacher…

This Brief first summarizes research findings regarding computer-assisted instruction (CAI) and its effectiveness in adult literacy education programs. The following findings are given: CAI is effective for a significant number of adult learners; CAI is effective because it provides the adult learner with flexibility, control, individualization,…

A study investigated the learning styles of remedial students and the implications for computer-assisted instruction. The subjects were 31 sixth-grade Chapter 1 students from a middle school in Idaho who did not have learning disabilities nor were candidates for special education. The subjects were given the Reading Style Inventory (RSI). Results…

Computer technology (primarily word processing) enables the student of public relations writing to improve the writing process through increased flexibility in writing, enhanced creativity, increased support of management skills and team work. A new instructional model for computer use in public relations courses at Purdue University Calumet…

This handbook is intended to guide the vocational educator through the task of selecting and evaluating software for the vocational curriculum. Section 1 focuses on computer-based education. Chapter 1 defines computer-based education and the hardware and software required when the computer is used as an educational delivery system. Chapter 2…

In order to assess the effects of wordprocessing on the writing of first-year students in a college of applied arts and technology, a project at Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology in Ontario, Canada followed a large population of students as they entered college, were taught to use wordprocessing in their writing, and used it throughout…

A 10-week study examined whether the use of computers could be more effective than basal readers for improving reading comprehension at the primary level. Subjects, 12 students from the second grade, were divided into two groups, 6 in the experimental group using computers only and 6 in the control group using basal readers only. Both groups used…

Appropriate software can turn the microcomputer from the dumb box into a teaching tool. One resource for finding appropriate software is the organization Edunet. It allows the user to access the mainframe of 18 major universities and has developed a communications network with 130 colleges. It also handles billing, does periodic software…

The report summarized findings from a study of organizational issues involved in the use of microcomputers in special education programs in 12 school districts. Background of the study and details on site selection were given. Features of the selected districts (urbanicity, number of schools, enrollment, predominant ethnicity, and number of…