Describes possible sources of computer software, including hardware bundles, commercial suppliers, users groups, electronic bulletin boards, as payment for software review services, prototype contracts, and writing the software oneself. Advantages and disadvantages of each, especially in terms of technical support, are discussed. (CLB)

Describes how computer graphics helped a 10-year-old boy talk about his painful feelings, gain self-confidence, and become less anxious about losing his mother's emotional support. Identifies ease of use, motivational aspects, and facilitation of relationships as major advantages of using the computer as a graphic art tool. (ABB)

Outlines the fields that can contribute research results to a theoretical understanding of broad goals that can govern design choices in on-line documentation. Suggests five theoretical precepts and pulls together research pertinent to the four main forms of on-line documentation: tutorials, assistance, messages, and modes of control. (HTH)

A case study discusses factors influencing the selection of microcomputer instructional software for a cerebral palsied 6-year-old boy. Complete descriptive information is provided for 25 software programs selected in language arts, mathematics, problem solving, communication, and music. (JW)

Describes one way of structuring an intelligent tutoring system (ITS) in light of developments in artificial intelligence. A specialized intelligent operating system (SIOS) is proposed for software for a network of microcomputers, and it is postulated that a general learning system must be used as a basic framework for the SIOS. (Author/LRW)

Experimental computer programs are being developed to teach students at all levels and in a wide variety of training fields and track their progress at the same time. (MSE)

Recommends the use of microcomputers for computer-assisted indexing; describes five case studies; and provides a list of representative software programs including title, producer, compatible hardware, price, and a short description. (EM)

Discusses (1) instructional uses of VisiCalc; (2) use of a spreadsheet to calculate the activity coefficients of lead in amalgams from measurements of the potentials of cells without liquid junction; and (3) the computerized solution (analogous to a titration) of simultaneous equations for determining equilibrium pH of a raindrop. (JN)

Reviews the current state of printing software and printing hardware compatibility and capacity. Discusses the changing relationship between author and publisher resulting from the advent of desktop publishing. (LMO)

Examines the types of history software has been produced in Europe. Questions the quality of the programs and how far the didactic theory of computer assisted learning in history has advanced. Concludes with an appendix of over 100 commerically available pieces of history software. (BSR)

Compares test-generating programs which accompany six different college-level history textbooks. Points out the basic features and usefulness of each. The test-generating programs reviewed are the Norton Testing System, Brownstone Research Group, two versions of Microtest, Floppy Disk Test Item Files, and Computest Microcomputer Testing System.…

This paper describes a PASCAL program that computes both different types of transitions and learning statistics suitable for learning experiments in which a two-stage Markov model is used. The frequency counts of the different transitions are used for estimating the parameters of the two-stage Markov model. (Author/LMO)

Comments on Kerwin et al.'s article on Covariance Structure analysis (LISREL). Concerns include assumptions about requirements for causal inferences, psychometric properties of measurement scales, validity of the indicators of each latent variable, completeness of the structural model, linearity of the latent variables, and the joint distribution…

This overview of a digital optical storage medium with a multimedia capability includes a global description of specifications, current status, and elements required to make a CD-I (compact disk interactive) launch possible. (Author/CLB)

Discusses the advantages of using story board techniques to design a course in computer based training, and describes the use of HyperCard to create the story boards directly on the computer screen. The discussion covers HyperCard's software capabilities, programing language, and print features. (CLB)