Provides guidelines for selecting courseware and getting the best price. Lists periodicals that review computer software for remedial instruction and for improving a computer's communication ability or productivity; the kinds of information provided in software catalogs; courseware distributors; and types of available discounts. (MAB)

This guide contains a list of commercially available microcomputer software programs for instructional use in preschool through grade 12 that has been favorably reviewed by the Educational Software Evaluation Consortium, which represents 29 organizations involved in computer education throughout North America. Only commercially available software…

Designed to aid teachers, school administrators, and parents in selecting excellent education software for grades K-12, this guide reports the results of over 7,800 evaluations of educational software programs and lists the 250 selected as the newest education software winners. In addition to these programs, this 1986 edition has added software…

This guide lists favorably reviewed microcomputer software for K-12 student instruction. It is not intended for use as a buying guide, but as an aid to educators in locating commercially available software they may want to preview to determine its suitability for their instructional program and students. Each annual edition of this guide is an…

Proposes guidelines to enable the consistent and thorough review of instructional interactive video packages. Presented in outline form, the evaluation criteria include package information, documentation and support materials, role of the computer in instruction, role of video and audio in instruction, and the computer videodisc mix. (CLB)

The author provides 30 questions that teachers or instructional materials selectors should consider when choosing keyboarding courseware for classroom use. (CH)

A recent survey found many teachers are selecting instructional software programs without sufficient research. Outlines four areas to consider when buying instructional software. (MD)

A new computer program designed to reach out into the community as well as train students, faculty, and staff includes a built-in evaluation program. (MD)

Presents a comprehensive evaluation model that could be applied to computer-based education programs in a variety of arts and sciences areas. The model includes stages which consider program capability, content evaluation, hardware selection, individual lessons, students' progress, equipment availability, student attitudes, cost effectiveness,…

In the rush to purchase computers, some schools have reversed the normal course of curriculum development. First develop the objectives for computer use, then purchase the computers. (MD)

The seven stages in the system development process are discussed in the context of implementing basic arithmetic drill and practice exercises on a computer-based system: (1) feasibility study; (2) requirements definition; (3) alternative specifications; (4) evaluation and selection of an alternative; (5) system design; (6) development and testing;…

The paper addresses three major concerns associated with incorporating microcomputers into educational settings: computer use, software selection, and hardware selection. Advantages of the computer in instructional settings are noted as well as its limitations. Staff is advised to select which of four applications is appropriate to their setting…

Computer assisted instruction (CAI) is defined. Guidelines physical educators can use for evaluating CAI programs and their manuals as well as sources for software are provided. (MT)

Outlines criteria for selecting microcomputer-based telecommunications software for educational settings. Terminal software, which provides interaction between a modem and remote terminals, is distinguished from software that allows an electronic bulletin board system to be developed, and three software packages of each type are reviewed. (LRW)

Describes a method for videodisc courseware development utilized by the University of Notre Dame Interactive Videodisc Laboratory staff, which includes production of a storyboard as the final component of the design phase. The three steps of group storyboarding, formative evaluation, and generation of production documents are discussed in detail.…