This digest reviews some significant research on technology use in the classroom that examines how investment in technology will pay off in terms of student learning, and it indicates the conditions under which technology is most likely to have a positive impact on student learning. First presented are two longitudinal studies on how students…

New technologies are used in many courses and for many occasions. Good teachers try to use the best tool and the best method to introduce or to treat difficult subjects by presenting the information in different ways: spoken words, written text, pictures, graphs, movies or by using interactive computer tools. It is a fact that students who…

Despite the effectiveness of computer-mediated instructional (CMI) materials, relatively little use is made of technology in mainstream college teaching. This article examines why CMI materials are not widely used; the mediated learning model that embeds CMI materials within a computer-mediated, communication-rich instructional environment; and…

Investigates the effectiveness of computer-assisted instruction in the chemical engineering curriculum. Explains how chemical process simulators can be successfully implemented into courses. (YDS)

Investigates problems of modeling and application based on a paradigmatic case study of a classroom situation in which students deal with functions within a computer-aided learning environment. Analysis of the case study shows that computer-supported operating with functions as objects does not automatically lead to a better understanding of the…

Describes the efforts of a North Carolina high school principal to adapt another school's computer network system to a reading comprehension improvement project in his school. Recounts administrative networking applications at Muskogee (Oklahoma) Public Schools and offers tips for choosing and evaluating computer networks. (MLH)

Presents three ideas to help teachers who have only one computer for the entire classroom. The suggestions include having the teachers use the computer themselves to enhance productivity, hooking the computer up to a visual display, and looking for curriculum packages that inspire groups, not individuals. (SM)

Examines the potential contributions of computers to medical education and, in particular, the use of computer-based study guides. Presents the educational functions of various study guide components and lists advantages and disadvantages of computer-based study guides over print-based guides. (LZ)

Describes two computer-assisted instructional programs (I-View Skills and Goal-Focused Interviewing) and two interactive videodisk (IVD) programs (Crisis Counseling and Group Treatment) designed to teach social work practice skills in introductory interpersonal practice course. Presents programs to encourage other social work faculty and agency…

Suggests that writing centers should become campus leaders in the development and use of computers for writing, and should form reciprocal partnerships that require trust, commitment, and open communication. Argues that through successful collaborative projects like computer writing classrooms and online writing labs, writing centers help to shape…

Describes how a major university has marshaled its resources to take advantage of new and emerging electronic technologies in order to provide high-quality learning environments for students. Discusses the organizational structure and staff of several resource units along with their respective objectives and presents sample projects. (Author/AEF)

Presents annotations from the ERIC database of nine journal articles, reports, and conference papers (published between 1991 and 1995) on computers and reading instruction. Notes that computers can be a useful tool, but warns teachers to be cautious in accepting the computer as the solution for all reading problems. Lists seven web sites. (RS)

Computer workstations can enhance instruction in information-intensive courses if they have the necessary hardware and software to enable users to gather, analyze, integrate, and display information. A reliable workstation has a multimedia computer, large-screen projection system, laserdisc and VCR player, scanner, printer, copier, computer modem,…

Presents ideas and issues to consider when thinking about the opportunities and choices involved in using learning technologies. Discusses technology impact issues, teaching applications, and institutional issues. Lists characteristics that make technology/technology use "feel elegant." Also addresses key teaching tasks. (AEF)

Technology plays a pivotal role in modifying curriculum for students with learning disabilities, especially in five areas: (1) criteria for software selection; (2) computer games; (3) use of the Internet across the curriculum; (4) multimedia use; and (5) hypermedia use. Specific activities for modifying the curriculum for this population are…