The directory lists and describes commercially produced software/courseware useful for special education. Companies are listed in alphabetical order and each entry includes basic directory information (company name, address, telephone number, and contact person); company information (type, hardware, level, handicapping condition for which the…

This report describes a collection of procedures, with illustrative examples, for selecting and portraying microcomputer courseware in a manner that enables others to make their own judgments of courseware quality. Following a discussion of perspective and a report outline, section 3 deals with assumptions underlying the search to identify…

A program has been written for the interactive computer graphics facility at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute that is designed to assist the user in learning the mathematical technique of convolving two functions. Because convolution can be represented graphically by a sequence of steps involving folding, shifting, multiplying, and integration, it…

The Teacher Authored Instruction Manager is a prototype Computer Managed Instruction system developed at the University of Alberta. By using two computer programs to store detailed student information and curriculum data, TAIM produces individualized lessons for students and diagnostic information for teachers. (Author)

The details and process of evaluating computerized instructional materials are presented for the major classes of such materials, i.e., courseware--the set of computer programs with which the student interacts directly to learn--and instructional software--the instructional facilities, services, or general operations which include management and…

Claims that computers and other high technology can replace teachers and staff, thereby reducing educational costs, are unwarranted for several reasons. First, most cost analyses focus on hardware costs, which are not the major factor directing the cost of computer assisted instruction (CAI). Second, technology is more likely to change the skill…

This report describing the use of operations research techniques to determine which courseware packages or what microcomputer systems best address varied instructional objectives focuses on the MICROPIK model, a highly structured evaluation technique for making such complex instructional decisions. MICROPIK is a multiple alternatives model (MAA)…

This brief, non-technical narrative for teachers addresses the following questions: (1) What are computers? (2) How do they work? (3) What can they do? (4) Why should we care? (5) What do they have to do with reading instruction? and (6) What is the future of computers for teachers and students? Specific topics discussed include the development of…

Recent research and current trends in the field of computers and education are reflected in this collection of reviewed papers, tutorials, panels, project presentations and other sessions. More than 80 papers are grouped in the following topic areas: administrative applications, composition and literature, computing for the learning disabled or…

The development of the first microcomputers in the 1970's has led to a quiet revolution in the use of computers in the school. Computers have proven themselves as effective teaching tools and now, for the first time, these tools are within realistic reach for all levels of education. Under the three major areas of administration management,…

This paper describes the history, philosophy, and outcomes of work at the Educational Technology Center at the University of California, Irvine, with particular emphasis on the activities of the Physics Computer Development Project. Ten years of evolution for the physics projects and its basis of grant support are examined, and a series of…

"Learning" magazine evaluated computer software marketed in 1982 for: (1) accuracy of content; (2) quality of instructional design; (3) audience suitability; (4) creative use of technology; and (5) value of instructional information. Judging included field-tests with students. Award-winning products are listed by subject area, along with other…

Criteria for evaluating and selecting computer software programs are given, based on the author's research at Teachers College, Columbia University (New York). Specific attributes of programs which either motivate students or directly encourage learning are examined. Shortcomings of existing software are also noted. (PP)

Twenty-five outstanding new computer software programs for drill and practice, simulation, and tutoring are reviewed. Programs deal with classroom management and with the teaching of language arts, computer literacy, social studies, science and logic, and mathematics. (PP)

Dealing exclusively with instructional computing, this paper describes how computers are delivering instruction in a wide variety of subjects to students of all ages and explains why computer-based education is currently having a profound impact on education. After a discussion of roots and origins, computer applications are described for…