Presents two spreadsheets for middle school students applying Polya's heuristic to help develop number sense, reasoning abilities, and problem-solving skills. Spreadsheet 1, "the coin problem," allows students to vary coin quantities to total $8.32. Spreadsheet 2, "ratios," develops number relationships while finding 3 3-digit…

Reviews less common research conclusions published after 1986 on the use of computers in mathematics education. Presents six conclusions that teachers should accept with caution. Conclusions refer to cooperative learning, sex bias, disadvantaged students, problem-solving skills, and remedial mathematics students. (MDH)

Proposes using computer programing teaching problem solving. Describes the problem-solving technique of Top-Down Design, discusses its application to LOGO, and provides examples of programs using LOGO. (MDH)

The Image Processing for Teaching project provides a powerful medium to excite students about science and mathematics, especially children from minority groups and others whose needs have not been met by traditional teaching. Using professional-quality software on microcomputers, students explore a variety of scientific data sets, including…

Argues that, if music is to remain a feasible part of the school curriculum, it must combine technology with traditional methods and materials. Contends that computer-assisted keyboard systems encourage cooperative learning, enhance student motivation, and provide opportunities for students to succeed at their ability level. Describes two middle…

Describes the background, development, and testing of a computer software program designed to teach principles of statistical sampling in social science courses. Compares results of a field test of the program, Introduction to Sampling Error Experiments (ISEE), with traditional instruction. (CFR)

Explains how computer database technology can be used in the herbarium and be a useful aid in teaching botany and plant taxonomy. (PR)

Presents a simple model that can help students think about evolution and better understand the gradualist and punctuationist macroevolution approaches. The model also improves instruction for concepts of mutation, selection, fitness, extinction, and origin of life. Describes an IBM computer program for instruction in these areas. (PR)

Summarizes the animal rights argument that objects to the use or killing of animals for educational purposes. Reviews and evaluates alternative approaches that include the nonanimal options of videotaped experiments, self-experimentation, and computer simulations. (MDH)

Describes an introductory meteorology course for nonacademic high school students. The course is made hands-on by the use of an educational software program offered by Accu-Weather. The program contains a meteorology database and instructional modules. (PR)

Describes a classroom e-mail project conducted during the 1996-97 school year in a southern suburban school. The project involved three fourth grade teachers and their students, and was developed collaboratively among faculty at a nearby university, the principal, and the fourth grade teachers. Reports on the project's activities, problems…

Evaluated the impact of Smart Talk, a computer-based violence prevention program for adolescents. Control and intervention-group middle-school students completed assessments before and after program implementation. Results indicated that the intervention successfully diminished intervention students' beliefs supporting violence and increased…

Addresses some concerns about teaching and learning geometry by describing how The Geometer's Sketchpad software program allows for the implementation of many of the recommendations from the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) in the mathematics classroom. Explains the types of activities that can be used with the software and…

This article describes the DT Trainer, a software tool and behavioral teaching method which breaks down the learning of a task into small steps, giving the student a very high chance of success. Students are motivated to succeed with this program through ample praise statements and other on-screen reinforcers. (Contains three references.) (CR)

Advocates a teaching strategy based on empowering students and expanding their opportunities to learn. Using hypertext as a model, articulates a teaching strategy where a chronological-based textbook forms the instructional "spine." Student discussion groups and lectures act as variant pathways. Electronic resources and communications…