The author describes a teacher training program developed collaboratively by John I. Leonard High School and Tandy/Radio Shack. The program, based on Tandy/Radio Shack's existing classes for teachers, allows teachers to learn about the school's new computers before the computers are used in instruction. (CH)

Describes a recently developed computer and videodisc technology for remedial reading instruction called Principle of the Alphabet Literacy System (PALS). Discusses how the system works, characteristics of the target population. Notes the system's success and students' enthusiasm in the classroom. (SR)

Discussed are the basic and specialized skills needed for graphing exercises. Suggests approaches and activities that can be used in the teaching of graphing skills. Includes a listing of software programs for both teaching graphing and for analyzing data. (ML)

Discusses "Applied Economics," a high school economics program designed by Junior Achievement. Suggests that economics education should help students explore the current community and world experience through microeconomics and macroeconomics. Describes the program's effect at one school, and the simulations used to help students…

Presents reasons for choosing a connected computer system for student use in secondary schools. The systems approach is discussed; two alternatives are compared, a central computer and a local area network (LAN) of microcomputers; software is described; and two scenarios of LAN use are presented. (four references) (LRW)

Describes: (1) a microcomputer demonstration of autocatalysis; (2) a safe alternative to ethanol and methanol; (3) a simple condenser for test-tube reactions; (4) a new procedure for studying the magnetic properties of transition metal compounds; (5) plasticization of the polymer PVC; and (6) some thoughts on polybasic acids and their salts. (JN)

Points out the instructional applications and program possibilities of a unit on model rocketry. Describes the ways that microcomputers can assist in model rocket design and in problem calculations. Provides a descriptive listing of model rocket software for the Apple II microcomputer. (ML)

Identifies William Pattison's four traditions of geography (spatial dimension, area studies, people-environment interaction, and earth science); discusses how geography instruction at secondary level has been one dimensional; describes High School Geography Project's efforts to revise geography curriculum by unifying Pattison's traditions (1960s);…

Discusses the role of computer-assisted instruction in teaching thinking skills and presents a case study in teaching domain-specific strategies. A videodisc-based program called "Mastering Ratios and Word Problems Strategies" is described, and the debate over teaching broad-based thinking processes versus content-specific skills is…

Presents a methodology for the development of educational software for use in secondary education based on the characteristics of the students and the curricular objectives. Topics discussed include desirable features of educational software and the engineering of educational software, including its interdisciplinary nature. (Contains 10…

A project was conducted to design a system for evaluating microcomputer courseware for vocational and technical education. Through a literature review and contacts with organizations and individuals involved in courseware evaluation and use, project staff identified and acquired for review documents pertaining to courseware evaulation, vocational…

Surveyed currently available software in the physical sciences, biological sciences, and earth/space sciences. Also examined interdisciplnary and remedial programs. One finding is that the emphasis in science education software is for high school and college students with little software for junior high school teachers or students. (JN)

Promotes the use of the microcomputer in mathematics instruction, reviewing approaches to teaching nonlinear equations. Examples of computer diagrams are illustrated and compared to textbook samples. An example of a problem-solving program is included. (ML)

Discussion of the use of programming as a learning activity focuses on software-realized scaffolding. Emile, software that facilitates programming for modeling and simulation in physics, is described, and results of an evaluation of the use of Emile with high school students are reported. (Contains 95 references.) (LRW)

The purpose of this training module is to introduce science teachers at the secondary level to effective applications of microcomputers for instruction and to provide information on the current state of science-related microcomputer courseware. Designed to provide for 12 presentation hours, the module is divided into seven sessions: (1) Realities…