Reviews three computer software programs for classroom use: Muppet Word Book, for children three to six; Dragon Game Series, on parts of speech, for students in grades four through high school; and Chemistry Achievement I, for students who are 16 to 18 years old, or in grades 10 to 12. (BB)

Presents how the computer program "Strip-Charter" assists communication research by quantifying the pen-trace data of psychophysiological and other strip-chart records. Describes the program's basic components and capabilities, including how it (1) allows the user to employ the Macintosh "mouse" to trace strip-chart pen…

Reviews basic principles of effective instructional design, then evaluates instructional computer programs in relation to how well the characteristics critical for effective self-instruction are incorporated into educational software. Includes a checklist for use in evaluating the design of educational software. (MD)

Reviews multimedia world atlas programs geared to a wide range of audiences and age groups, some of which are tailored for specific interests. Reviews of nine programs highlight their strong points and weaknesses. Ancillary material, such as manuals or teacher guides, is also evaluated. (SLD)

BMDP/Diamond for Windows was developed as a stand-alone software package for initial data exploration and screening. The program uses advanced visualization techniques to allow one to examine the data from different perspectives, or to manipulate graphics to gain greater insight. Data can be checked quickly for a variety of characteristics. (SLD)

Summarizes the advantages and disadvantages of using computers in adult literacy instruction. Presents a matrix which permits teachers to see at a glance how any one of 112 specific software programs may be used. (RS)

Discusses whether machines can think in the same sense that humans think. Provides four conclusions based on axioms of differences between computer programs and human minds. Compares claims of strong and weak artificial intelligence. (YP)

Standardization procedures in discriminant analysis are discussed. Three leading software packages--SPSSX, BMDP, and SAS--are compared in terms of their calculations of unstandardized and standardized discriminant coefficients. Estimation procedures are described for each. Arguments are presented for within-group, rather than total, variance…

Examines HotJava and Java, World Wide Web technology for use on the Internet. HotJava, an interactive, animated Web browser, based on the object-oriented Java programming language, is different from HTML-based browsers such as Netscape. Its client/server design does not understand Internet protocols but can dynamically find what it needs to know.…

Outlines the nature of information processing projects and discusses some project management programming packages. Describes an in-house interface program developed to utilize a selected project management package (TIMELINE) by using Oracle Data Base Management System tools and Pascal programming language for the management of information system…

Discusses the ideological dimensions of writing instruction software. Discusses errors and assumptions of choosing software for writing instruction. Suggests that all software decisions must be tested against the instructor's own self-conscious and informed understanding of the goals of writing instruction. (RS)

Describes the Jostens Learning Writing Program, which integrates reading, writing, and thinking instruction in realistic literacy tasks, using real-life experiences and everyday applications. (SR)

Discussion of expert systems focuses on a national survey that gathered information concerning the attention and investment given to expert systems by managers and computer professionals in a variety of fields. Highlights include uses of expert systems, types of computers and software used, and expert systems shells and development costs. (18…

Over 37 firms have listed more than 90 software applications that can be used by schools. Each listing includes the name of the software and a general description of its utility. Tables provide detailed listings of the software's functions, the type of support the company provides, and the hardware on which the software can be run. (MLF)

Evaluates three computer software programs designed to help writing teachers to respond to and comment on student papers. Asserts that these programs do not actually assist teachers in writing comments, but help them to avoid writing comments. Argues that teachers expect too much of the computer as an aid to response. (PRA)