Contends that computer software development has fallen far behind progress in hardware development. Explains how to evaluate courseware critically. (Author/JM)

The purchase of computer software must come before the purchase of hardware. Otherwise school people may watch an excellent computer collect dust while they search in vain for software that fills their needs. (Author/JM)

The paper reviews the production activities of the Educational Media Production Project for the Hearing Impaired, a project designed to adapt existing or develop new instructional materials for the hearing impaired. (Author/CL)

Once a school has decided to invest in computers, many other decisions must be made. Considerations should include cost, technical requirements, and standard, upgraded, and "dream" features. Recommendations that can be used as helpful guidelines are presented. (CJ)

Continued from the front cover, this article offers suggestions about selecting and purchasing microcomputers and software for schools. (WD)

This self-instructional manual presents basic information about computers and their capabilities in a series of lessons, each of which contains a list of learner objectives and a series of true-false self-check exercises. The lessons cover: (1) what a computer is and what it can do, and the reasons why computers are used; (2) computer types and…

Many of the factors that go into evaluating computer courseware are the same ones educators have been applying to all instructional materials long before computers entered the classroom. Discussed are some effective ways for locating computer courseware and instruction and computer related evaluation factors. (RM)

Although researchers are only now beginning studies of microcomputer use in classrooms, findings concerning the educational use of mainframe computer terminals indicate educational benefits. The available studies suggest guidelines for classroom microcomputer use. These guidelines include developing administrative procedures for evaluating…

Each of the more than 200 educational software programs developed by both commercial and public domain sources which are described is intended for use with one of the four microcomputers most frequently used for instructional purposes--Atari, Apple, PET, and TRS-80. These descriptions are offered as a service for those who are just beginning to…

As computers become better suited for classroom use--in terms of both design and cost--two limitations stand in the way: (1) lack of educationally sound programs or software (called courseware in education); and (2) lack of a computer language that teachers can easily use to create or adapt courseware for their classrooms. (CJ)

Intended for special educators, the book is designed to provide information for assessing classroom needs, making decisions about purchasing software and hardware, and using the microcomputer effectively. Each chapter begins with statements to think about and a list of sources. At the end of each chapter are questions and exercises designed to aid…

This working paper documents the efforts of a professional information center (PIC) in Denver to provide resources that aid teachers and administrators in selecting software programs for varied microcomputer uses. The report outlines the development of PIC as a coordinator and clearinghouse for organizing and disseminating information on computers…

A brief guide on how to choose a microcomputer for use in the schools. Microcomputer components, applications, and programing languages are discussed. (JJD)

Contains a check list to aid teachers in evaluating software used in computer-assisted instruction on microcomputers. The evaluation form contains three sections: program description, program evaluation, and overall evaluation. A brief description of a software evaluation program in use at the Granite School District in Utah is included. (JJD)

Describes one school district's system for evaluating and selecting microcomputer software for computer assisted instruction. The process includes a computer technology council in charge of evaluation and a software evaluation form (reproduced here in its entirety). (Author/JM)