An inexpensive way to foster interactive, participatory learning in the language laboratory through communicative tasks is described. Problems with traditional approaches are discussed, and enthusiastic reactions from both students and teachers to the University of Maryland-College Park multimedia approach are reported. (39 references) (LB)

This discussion of five areas in which computer based training can have an impact on the instructional process focuses primarily on its use to model and test the decision making process through interactive simulations. A listing of computer based training courseware vendors and authoring systems is provided. (CLB)