Guidelines for understanding computer-assisted instruction (CAI) pedagogical designs and evaluating CAI software for its relevance to specific teaching and learning objectives are presented in this paper. Topics discussed include applications, drawbacks, and examples of the five types of CAI software--drill and practice, tutorial, simulation, problem solving, and educational games. An open-ended evaluation instrument which is simple to use and which emphasizes instructional objectives over methods is described, and a copy of the evaluation form and a list of recommended sources for software reviews are appended. (MES)