Discusses problems with composition writing that beginning or learning disabled students may have and highlights the use of computer programs to encourage both elementary and secondary school students. Topics discussed include group lessons, sign makers such as "Print Shop," and menu driven graphics and text integration programs. (12 references)…

Discussion of ways to effectively use computers in classrooms focuses on a national survey, the CompEd survey of the IEA (International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement), that examined computer use in grades 3-12. Highlights include teacher attitudes, teacher roles, and the need for improved software and more powerful…

Summarizes six research studies relating to computers in education. The research areas include the use of computer-generated graphs in critical evaluation and in learning distance and velocity concepts, sex differences in graphing skills, student evaluation of courseware, career paths of women with technological education, and characteristics of…

Describes trends in educational software design in the United States for elementary and secondary education. Highlights include user-friendly software; learner control; interfacing the computer with other media, including television, telecommunications networks, and optical disk technology; microworlds; graphics; word processing; database…

Describes a project using software in kindergarten instruction. Seven pieces of software used in a unit on endangered species that included social studies, math, art, language arts, and music emphases are briefly described. Ideas for managing a one-computer classroom and general recommendations drawn from the study are given. (KRN)

This third in a series of articles on the use of technology with at-risk students focuses on using technology for increased parental interaction. Highlights include the effects of parental involvement on student achievement and self-esteem; and the use of telephones, videos, software, classroom computers, and integrated learning systems. (Contains…

Describes a project designed to help high school language students learn about French-speaking countries that uses HyperCard and telecommunications capabilities and can be adapted to other related curriculum areas. Highlights include cooperative group work using the Internet and creating HyperCard stacks. (three references.) (LRW)

Discusses the use of computer assisted instruction to enhance learning basic skills within the traditional language arts curriculum. The Teaching for Transfer approach to software evaluation that is described is designed to provide teachers with information about how well a given piece of software can be integrated into the existing curriculum.…

Respondents to a survey of educational software producers to determine extent to which computer assisted instruction courseware is fieldtested, and what this process involves, indicate that 52% fieldtested all their software. The relevance of these results to school media specialists and their role in selecting and evaluating software is…

Describes a courseware development project at the University of Oregon which explored use of interactive video with mentally disabled students to teach life enhancement skills. Discussion of the results of a pilot study of one of the modules includes information on student achievement and teacher and student reactions. (MBR)

Describes a study of second graders that was conducted to investigate the use of microcomputer-based software to teach line graph production and interpretation. Abstract concepts between time and distance relationships are discussed, and transfer of skills to other types of graphs on paper are examined. (LRW)

Discussion of establishing students' values concerning the ethics of computer use highlights the design and development of a hypermedia program for eighth grade students that addresses computer ethics issues. Results of initial use of the program focus on the effect of cognitive style on students' learning. (eight references) (LRW)

Discusses how to examine and evaluate claims of improved academic performance in advertisements for computer-assisted instruction. Highlights include the proper use of comparison groups; types of statistical analyses; the Hawthorne effect; the interpretation of scores; interpreting graphic presentations; tests of significance; and cost…

This discussion of advances in computers and information technologies focuses on the development and design of new educational software called cognition enhancers, which include empowering environments, hypermedia, and microworlds. The implications of this new technology for students and teachers and its impact on society is reviewed. (LRW)

Two articles describe the use of computer software to help elementary students develop literacy and writing skills: the first article evaluates "Writing to Read" software, comparing its use in classrooms and in computer labs with traditional instruction; the second article discusses using "Writing to Write" software with third graders. (LRW)