An experiment at Channel 23 (Richmond, Virginia), a medium-sized television station, involves computer-assisted instruction for a geographical area covering 53 public school districts. (CJB)

Teachers must become aware of the magnitude of the computer revolution. They must examine the courseware that is available and consider possible instructional and management uses. A list of organizations and resources that can provide guidance for teachers is included. (SR)

A discussion of microcomputer applications in elementary and secondary school social studies is accompanied by a list of publications and a checklist to aid educators in evaluating programs for microcomputers. Six instructional uses of the microcomputer are drill and practice, tutorial, demonstration, simulation, instructional games, and computer…

Studies teacher and student attitudes toward computer assisted instruction in Mobile, Alabama. High school and middle school teachers and students were given a knowledge/attitude survey before and after a simulation exercise on the microcomputer. Results show that attitudes toward computer assisted instruction improved after the simulation. (JJD)

This paper presents a review of the literature regarding use of computers in elementary social studies and a rationale of how computer usage aligns with the constructivist approach to education. Computer use in elementary social studies can be divided into three broad categories: (1) instructional software; (2) productive software; and (3)…

Discusses ideas and trends in computer software and hardware. For example, how a social studies teacher successfully marketed his own tutorial software programs is examined; economics software programs developed by university teams are described; and the computer "give-away" to induce educators to use the computer is discussed. (CS)

More than 2000 social studies professionals attended the 62nd annual meeting of the National Council for the Social Studies. The conference theme was "The Future and the American Dream." Excerpts from papers presented, descriptions of workshop presentations, and summaries of what transpired at special sessions and committee meetings are…

The purpose of this notebook is to assist educators who are designing and implementing inservice education programs to facilitate the effective use of computer integrated instruction (CII) in schools. It is divided into the following five sections: (1) Effective Inservice (a brief summary of inservice literature focused on inservice dimensions and…

This unit emphasizes the integration of software in a focus on the classroom instruction process. Student activities are based on plans and ideas for instructional units presented by a teacher who describes and demonstrates the activities. Integration has occurred when computer applications are included in an instructional activity. This guide…

Examines equipment and training necessary to integrate computer databases into the elementary social studies classroom. Develops a basic plan for teaching about geographic regions that uses seven class sessions for computer database introduction. Finds teacher preparation is critical for student success. Concludes that students gained experience…

The first part of this document is a report describing "Where in Louisiana," a program model using IBM LinkWay (i.e., a multimedia software package providing tools to merge text and graphics) that was created as a cooperative learning activity to enhance and expand state studies. The introductory report discusses ways the model promotes…

Computers have not revolutionized social studies curricula because so few teachers use them. But research does indicate that computers are flexible instructional tools that can assist in the development of attitudes, intellectual motivation, and inquiry skills. Social studies educators need to consider expanded computer use in their classrooms…

Maintains that the use of computers in the classroom produces motivated students, empowered learners, and increased literacy. Gives an example of the computer program "The Oregon Trail" in which students participate actively in a wagon train journey from Missouri to Oregon. Urges teachers to encourage students in their mastery of computer skills.…

The impact of teaching computer literacy on the social studies curriculum, instruction, and teacher education is discussed. Social studies computer literacy objectives are organized into three components: awareness, understanding how computer technology affects individuals and society; acquisition, knowing how computers work and how to operate a…

Descriptions of 13 software programs suitable for use with kindergarten students include curriculum area, title, producer, hardware requirements, program description, teaching objective, and competencies. Prerequisites and introductory, developmental, follow-up, and evaluation activities are also provided for seven instructional sequences designed…