This chart comparing communications software packages focuses on features important to novice users. Less obvious features covered in the chart are defined, including file transfer, protocols, baud rates, file types, capture methods, file editing, macro, tutorial unattended operation, document reading, and prices. A list of manufacturers of…

Describes features of five new software programs--Songwriter, Musical Ideas, Musicalc I, Musical Construction Set, Musicland, and Music Designer II--which facilitate musical composition and musical creativity in a variety of ways. Shortcomings are briefly discussed, and sources for further information are given. (MBR)

Reviews the functions that should be included in an analytical workstation. Also discusses the common data file structures and the techniques of data interchange between software modules and presents a brief overview of commercial products and their interfacing characteristics. These software include word processors, spreadsheets, database…

Provides extensive reviews of computer software, examining documentation, ease of use, performance, error handling, special features, and system requirements. Includes statistics, problem-solving (TK Solver), label printing, database management, experimental psychology, Encyclopedia Britannica biology, and DNA-sequencing programs. A program for…

Discusses the use of computer adventure games and simulations to teach children critical thinking. Provides lists of mid-elementary to adult-level adventure games (with manufacturer and current price) and software helpful in teaching critical thinking (indicating name of package, manufacturer, age level, and current price for each entry). (JN)

Discusses a computer calculus game which follows the path of a parabola in stepwise progression. The educational value of the game is a simple example of nonlinearity, a subject which is just beginning to earn some attention in the mathematical community. The Applesoft program listing is included. (JN)

Teachers often have difficulty finding the time to develop or find quality software for classroom use. One solution to this problem is to have advanced microcomputer students produce software. Suggestions for teachers to use in implementing microcomputers into the classroom are offered. (DF)

Examines relationship between popular computer games and their players to discern how games motivate their players and general outcomes of popular computer game play in terms of substantive learning. The computer game environment, game economics and software, player characteristics, and how new and familiar games are played are described. (MBR)

Suggests sources for reviews of available software, and provides seven guidelines for selecting appropriate software: know your objectives; check on software compatibility and available support; consider brand names first; check evaluations, copying restrictions, and documentation. Suggestions for taking care of software and a discussion of word…

Reviews two science computer software packages (on time and seasons and on maps) and three mathematics packages (on solving equations and inequalities, an algebraic coordinate game, and statistics). In addition to descriptions of the contents of each, comments indicate weaknesses and strengths. (MNS)

Presented is an interactive Applesoft BASIC program that graphically demonstrates the central limit theorem. It can be used as the basis of a lab to illustrate the main conclusions of the theorem. (MNS)

Business Computer Network (BCN) employs automatic calling and logon, multiple database access, disk search capture, and search assistance interfaces to provide single access to 15 online services. Telecommunications software (SuperScout) used to reach BCN and participating online services offers storage and message options and is accompanied by…

Discusses various aspects of scientific software, including evaluation and selection of commercial software products; program exchanges, catalogs, and other information sources; major data analysis packages; statistics and chemometrics software; and artificial intelligence. (JN)

Suggests that classroom teachers write their own instructional software and presents a step-by-step description of how one primary reading teacher wrote a program to help second graders learn to distinguish fact from opinion. (AEA)

Excerpted from the second chapter of the International Reading Association's "Computer Applications in Reading" (2nd ed.), this article presents an overview of computer-assisted reading programs developed on college campuses during the 1970s. (AEA)