Social studies instruction will improve if social studies educators cooperate with computer professionals to develop ways of using the computer in the classroom. Objections of many social studies teachers to computers are based on experiences in which computers were used to intimidate consumers, implement poorly conceived projects, and promote rigid instructional approaches. If social studies teachers and computer professionals work together to provide a balanced program in processing information, they can extend skills of data collection, storage, retrieval, and analysis. Examples of computer projects of special interest to social studies teachers include the PLATO system, which is especially useful for studying population geography, and computer based resource units. Specific advantages of using computer instruction in the classroom include individualization of instruction, broadening of teachers' bases of information by allowing them to search various computer bases such as Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC), diagnosis of student needs, assignment of instructional sequences, evaluation of programs, locating information, data processing, and enhancing educational games and simulations. (DB)