The advancement of microcomputer technology has reached the point where color monitors and color computer software are fast becoming the norm in our information society. Color is another channel for communication, and can be used for enhancement of both aesthetic characteristics and productivity. The advantage to the use of color for communication…

Outlines criteria for selecting microcomputer-based telecommunications software for educational settings. Terminal software, which provides interaction between a modem and remote terminals, is distinguished from software that allows an electronic bulletin board system to be developed, and three software packages of each type are reviewed. (LRW)

Describes the computer field before the advent of CP/M (Control Program for Microcomputers), an operating system which facilitated compatibility between different computers. CP/M's functions and flaws and the advent of Apple DOS and UCSD Pascal, two additional widely used operating systems, and the significance of their development are also…

Describes research that was conducted to investigate the needs and characteristics of noncomputer professionals who use word processing software on personal computers. A model of the intermittent user's performance is presented, and two experiments are described that examined differences in mode of interaction and the use of online help. (30…

Describes a program designed to develop interactive, language-experience-based software to promote functional literacy among illiterate adults. The project uses the microcomputer with language-experience-based software to aid the teacher in providing highly individualized instruction to illiterate learners. (CT)

This study tested the hypothesis that children bring specifiable expectations to their use of interactive computer programs, and that these expectations will determine, to a large extent, which features of a given program will be motivating to a child. It is also argued that the different genres of interactivity relied upon by software designers…

This checklist provides guidelines for designing computer screen displays and evaluating those designed by others. The checklist covers three important aspects of designing a computer screen display: how the screen looks, how the screen interacts with users, and evaluating the screen. (MBR)

This report examines statewide planning and budgeting for educational technology in the 15 states covered by the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB), with a focus on state-level expenditures for telecommunications networks, microcomputers, software, and other technology. Capsule descriptions of each state's current activities are provided,…

Describes system developed at Bennett College for recording grades on a spreadsheet that allows multi-user access for updating student test scores. The interaction between spreadsheets, user-developed statistics programs, and word processing documents is discussed, and a process for using spreadsheet data in a BASIC statistics program is…

Discusses how computers can "converse" with students for teaching purposes, demonstrates how these interactions are becoming more complex, and explains how the computer's role is becoming more "human" in giving intelligent responses to students. (HOD)

Describes computer assisted instruction programs for teaching logic during first year philosophy courses at the University of Hong Kong. These programs include JOHN, which introduces Venn-diagrams for evaluating syllogistic arguments; LUDWIG, which introduces techniques for evaluating arguments in propositional calculus; and TIARA, which provides…

This paper presents a three-phase model of how formative evaluation research can inform the design of educational computer software products. Used as an illustrative case is a program of formative research conducted on "The Talking Clock," a computer assisted instructional software product designed to help children in kindergarten through second…

The effects of introducing a microcomputer into an elementary-school classroom were studied using a naturalistic paradigm. Initial questions investigated the impact of the microcomputer on children's behavior, interactions, and responses to available software; and on the teacher's role. Data were fathered through: weekly observation for 4 months;…

Proposes use of computer simulations to help students build reading comprehension skills, and describes an existing simulation which requires readers to interact with text to accomplish some purpose. Differences between teaching reading skills with simulations and the way they are traditionally taught, and future potential of reading simulations…

Describes the mechanics of information exchange between the computer and the user of, e.g., a word processing editor. The importance of user orientation, how it is affected by different types of interfaces, and space aids for orienting users in menu-driven or branching programs that present output in page format are discussed. (MBR)