Addresses usability issues pertaining to the purpose of educational software, followed by suggestions for ways in which educational software can meet the language, physical, social, and cognitive needs of children. Guidelines and recommendations are provided for adapting usability engineering and testing procedures to educational software to…

Investigates the ability of third-grade students to generate essays either by hand or with a word processing program. Indicates that the length and quality of the handwritten essays were superior to the computer-generated ones, suggesting that third-grade students were not as efficient in using a word processing program to generate essays as they…

Reviews the computer simulation, "Civilization," and asserts that it offers exciting possibilities as an interactive introduction to world history and historical thinking. Includes a course syllabus in which "Civilization" serves as a central feature and two writing assignments based on the simulation. (CFR)

Presents the first of a two-part series on using technology to meet the computing and training needs of North Carolina schools and communities. Examines the best technology practices (benchmarking) identified by schools, businesses, and government agencies. Discusses implementation models and success factors. (AEF)

Discusses the Internet's role in colleges and universities. Topics include network development, accessing the library's online catalog; attracting students, electronic student handbooks, coursework information, and program listings, teleconferencing, distance education, independent study and online degrees, electronic field trips, journalism…

Asserts that electronic media will transform how historians conduct research, teach, and present the past. Maintains that CD-ROM technology offers exciting possibilities for historical research. Provides a bibliographic essay on 16 history-oriented CD-ROM products. (CFR)

Reports on a study comparing social characteristics of 13 British male secondary-school students with high levels of interest in and use of computers with those of 14 students who lacked interest in computers. Finds that computer-using students were not less sociable than their peers. (CFR)

Trends that may impact future uses of the computer in speech-language pathology and audiology are addressed. These include broadened training applications, development of cross-platform computers, hardware and software developments in speech processing and recognition and in expert systems, and developments in telecommunications and distance…

This introduction to assistive technology for students with disabilities covers use of devices in positioning, computer access, environmental control, augmentative communication, assistive listening, visual aids, computer-based instruction, mobility, self-care aids, and aids for physical education. Five resources for information about assistive…

Reports on an experiment in electronic mail and computer-assisted classroom discussion among 41 college-level French students. Describes the research design and the results as they relate to students' attitudes and motivation. Finds that local area networks seem to encourage discussion among students. (CFR)

Describes new opportunities for consultation and supervision as more schools come online with the Internet. E-mail offers counselors the same kind of advantage that it offers those involved with distance learning education. Advantages and disadvantages are presented and case examples are provided. (JBJ)

Presents a critical overview of trends in research on writing skills. Defines criteria for the studies based on current cognitive writing models. Includes treatments designed to change writer activity by influencing knowledge and cognitive functions. Discusses acquisition of knowledge or expert skills, interaction with other writers, and computer…

Presents the results of a preliminary investigation into the feasibility of teachers constructing their own animations for the mathematics classroom using computer animation tools. Provides examples of animation constructed using "Ani ST" and "Mathematica" programs. Concludes that computer animation has potential to be a…

The impact of computers on college and university campuses is seen in computer-delivered courses, computer-based instructional materials, and most dramatically, in transformation of the institutional infrastructure, including campus communications and library services. The greatest challenge today is growing demand for services in a period of…

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…