Describes a community college's process of choosing good educational software. Elements include the college's own software catalog, statewide vocational curriculum laboratory, catalogs from established publishers, and the state software clearinghouse. The author then discusses software reviews and the questions that are asked concerning preview…

Options for special educators in creating computer assisted instruction for handicapped learners are examined, including machine code (such as BASIC), authoring languages, authoring systems, and commercially available shell programs. Examples of each are cited. (CL)

This study investigated graduate students' attitudes toward statistics in a class in which the focus of instruction was the use of a computer program that made possible an individualized, self-paced student-centered, activity-based course. The six sections involved in the study were offered in 2001 and 2002. There were 43 participants for whom…

Four grammar checkers, all of French Canadian origin, were evaluated: "Le Correcteur 101,""GramR,""Hugo Plus," and "French Proofing Tools." Results indicate that "Le Correcteur 101" is the best French grammar checker on the market and worth its premium cost. (two references) (CK)

Proposes and illustrates a method of identifying key words in text, and leads from this proposal to the notion of key key words (words that are key in many texts). Notes that a key key word has associates: words that are key in the same texts as a given key key word. Notes that these associates can be grouped together in clumps. (18 references)…

Describes research conducted with Hong Kong university students that investigated challenges to collaboration during computer-assisted instruction as evidenced by discourse. Evaluates videotapes of the students according to a set of discourse markers and suggests implications for software designers, teachers, and students to enhance collaboration…

Considers how good phonics instruction should encourage children to recognize rimes and to identify an unfamiliar word by blending its onset with the rime that follows. Discusses seven conclusions/implications for phonics software derived from research into phonics instruction. (SG)

Discusses the following issues associated with designing ideal university microcomputer classrooms: (1) campus vs. departmental classrooms; (2) finding space; (3) furnishings; (4) classroom layout; (5) selecting hardware; (6) selecting software; and (7) funding. (MM)

Clarifies the definition of hypertext by contrasting traditional database management systems and associative information management systems software. Relative strengths and weaknesses of each approach are discussed, and useful applications of hypertext on personal computers are described. A glossary and a directory of product information are…

Examines the contexts of human-computer interaction, and argues that understanding word-processing research done in that setting can enrich thinking about the impact of teaching writing with the use of computers. Suggests issues developed in recent word-processing studies that may interest future researchers. (KEH)

Description of a computer system that converts text automatically into a form suitable for browsing and consultation online focuses on its use for online documentation. Also discussed are possibilities for its applications in automatic indexing, index access, and authoring systems for computer-assisted instruction (CAI). (four references)…

Examines several new writing environments, including prompted writing, text-based writing environments, graphics-enhanced environments, and hypertext environments. Evaluates each from an instructional perspective. (MM)

Investigates the growing popularity of computerized economic modeling as a computer-assisted instructional aid and the associated educational benefits. Provides an overview of current modeling, simulation, and econometrics programs and attempts to identify trends in computer-assisted instruction in economics. (Author/GEA)

Using a question/answer format, responds to some of the most common concerns and problems faced by newcomers to the use of computers in developmental education. Considers questions about hardware and software selection, explains basic terminology, and lists resources for further information. (DMM)

Defines prototyping as an original version or model on which a completed software system for computer-based training is formed; examines the development process of a prototype; describes how prototyping can assist in facilitating communication between educational technology, software engineering, and project management; and discusses why…