Provides a software program for determining PI to the 15th place after the decimal. Explores the history of determining the value of PI from Archimedes to present computer methods. Investigates Wallis's, Liebniz's, and Buffon's methods. Written for Tandy GW-BASIC (IBM compatible) with 384K. Suggestions for Apple II's are given. (MVL)

Describes study that investigated the effects of learner control and program control on the achievement and continuing motivation of high school students. The influence of the availability of computer-delivered instruction on student motivation was also examined, results are analyzed, and further research needs are suggested. (37 references)…

Reviews five Apple II computer programs: (1) The Research Companion: Supreme Court Decisions, grades 9-12; (2) Rebus Writer--vocabulary, problem solving, wordplay, grades 3-12; (3) Playing with Science: Temperature--MBL for grades K-7; (4) Exploring Science: Temperature--MBL for grades 6-12; and (5) ShowOff--graphics, desktop presentations for…

Reviews three chemistry software programs at the high school and college general chemistry level for the Apple II family. Includes "Chemical Nomenclature and Balancing Equations,""Principles of Stoichiometry," and "Solubility." (MVL)

Announces the development of a videodisc module which provides access to the U.S. Department of Agriculture information network. Relates sources of information, module description, recommendations for use, and software specifications. Describes the equipment needed. (RT)

Examines features to consider when redesigning instructional materials to electronic format from print. Topics discussed include physical presence; human-computer interface; resolution and screen size; online help; interactivity; motion and sound; and software tools. Examples of screen designs are included. (Contains 11 references.) (LRW)

Discusses benefits of the adoption of educational software for other languages and cultures and describes experiences translating "Work Rooms" HyperCard software into Catalan and Bulgarian. Topics addressed include English as a foreign language; social and financial benefits; language issues; and visual issues. (Contains three…

Presents results from elementary school classroom uses of the Computer Supported Integrated Learning Environments (CSILE) software that stores student productions, including text and graphics, in one database to which all users have simultaneous access. Educational uses, effects, and outcomes of CSILE are described; and knowledge construction is…

Describes the development of an interactive video simulation, the "Classroom Management Simulation," that teaches eight basic principles of classroom management to preservice teachers. Highlights include the instructional design process, including task analysis; the use of HyperCard for programming; and results of field testing. (LRW)

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…

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…

Introduces an interactive distance learning environment prototype developed jointly by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) and AT&T which allows students to participate in virtual classroom environments by using computer teleconferencing. Student collaboration, note taking, question answering capabilities, project background, learning…

Describes attempts to integrate computer technology into the preservice teacher education program at Lesley College. Topics discussed include technology goals; faculty attitudes; technology in the schools; technological developments; problems; and factors affecting adoption of computer technology, including the need for faculty to learn more about…

Reviews the use of computer-assisted language learning (CALL) in second-language education and asserts that CALL is an instructional tool rather than a teaching method. More active involvement by educators in planning and developing CALL technologies and software for the second-language classroom is advocated. (83 references) (JL)