How computers are used to analyze item data is reviewed, and the information that existing item-analysis programs provide is described. Summaries of studies comparing the performance of some of these packages reveal some of their current limitations. Emphasis is on the usefulness to educational practice of these packages. (SLD)

Computerized workstations at a teaching hospital were developed so that physicians in training could integrate and automate some of their information management tasks. The project is part of the National Library of Medicine's Integrated Academic Information Management Systems program at Georgetown University School of Medicine. (Author/MLW)

Gives definitions of taxicab geometry and the MacDraw format for graphing. In the world of taxicab geometry, movement through the plane is along horizontal and vertical paths. Describes specific application to conic sections, including circle, ellipse, parabola, and hyperbola. Lists five references. (YP)

Reviewed are three computer software packages for use in middle/high school classrooms. Included are "MacWrite II," a word-processing program for MacIntosh computers; "Super Story Tree," a word-processing program for Apple and IBM computers; and "Math Blaster Mystery," for IBM, Apple, and Tandy computers. (CW)

Describes an intelligent tutoring system named MENDEL, including problem GENERATOR, TUTOR, student MODELER, ADVISOR, hypothesis CHECKER, and problem SOLVER. This software may be used by high school or university biology students as a tool for learning concepts and problem-solving strategies in transmission genetics. (YP)

Describes a project which used basic writers in a pre-college English class to tutor deaf elementary school students. Focuses on the project's attempt to encourage discussions of writing on a local area computer network, as a means of developing deaf students' experience with informal and formal written English. (MM)

Described is a method for discriminant analysis which uses the multiple regression facilities offered by many microcomputer statistical packages. This method is illustrated with an ecological example using the MICROTAB statistical package on a BBC microcomputer. Compares these results with an analysis of the same data using SPSS X. (Author/CW)

This article describes how to set up a receiving station for information from satellites. Included are discussions of the benefits of using such technology and ideas for their application in biology classrooms and instructions for assembling the equipment needed to receive satellite transmissions from space. (CW)

Abstracts six conference papers from the ISRAEL Association for Computers in Education. Included topics are spreadsheets for problem solving, concept acquisition with microcomputers, numerical mathematics, learning math as a science, studying polygons with LOGO, and a growth curve simulation of microorganisms. (MVL)

Up-to-the-minute technology is making United States schools more productive. Technology is presenting new choices in equipment and methods for problem solving and expanding education. Eleven separate articles are included. (SI)

Examines a sample of conventionally composed and word-processing-assisted essays to assess the computer's effect on progress and competence by determining how students used the computer resources available to them to write their papers in both standard English classes and across the curriculum. (MS)

Reviews two software packages: Graphical Analysis III and Lewis Diagrams. Finds Graphical Analysis III to be a fast and versatile graphing program for high school science classes with access to Apple II microcomputers. Lewis Diagrams is designed to aid in determining Lewis structures of molecules and ions for IBM computers. (MVL)

Describes two computer programs used to aid in data analysis: (1) Develops a method for the propagation of error involving the direct calculation of the error in the dependent variable using a spreadsheet; (2) Examines a simple numerical method for solving complex equilibria. Lists a FORTRAN 77 program. (MVL)

Describes a chemistry laboratory software package for interfacing the Apple IIe for high school and introductory college courses. Topics include: thermistor calibration, phase change, heat of reaction, freezing point depression, Beer's law, and color decay in crystal violet. Explains the computer interface and the tools needed. (MVL)

Describes four IBM compatible flight simulator software packages: (1) "Falcon," air to air combat in an F-16 fighter; (2) "Chuck Yeager's Advanced Flight Trainer," test flight 14 different aircraft; (3) "Jet," air to air combat; and (4) "Flight Simulator," a realistic PC flight simulator program. (MVL)