Several research and design issues to be considered when creating educational software were identified by a field test evaluation of three types of innovative software created at Bank Street College: (1) Probe, software for measuring and graphing temperature data; (2) Rescue Mission, a navigation game that illustrates the computer's use for simulation; and (3) Whale Search and Treasure Hunt, games that introduce the notion of programming to children. The field test used a case-study approach to examine the comprehensibility, appeal, and usability of the programs. The most striking finding was the range of use of the software in different classrooms, including differences in the proportion of students having access to the computer, the amount of time each student used the software, the degree and type of teacher involvement, and classroom organization. It was also found that the use of software was influenced by computer and teacher resources, as well as by prior teacher training in and perceptions of science, math, or computers. Software design implications point to the need for creating software that allows students to work in a collaborative fashion independent of the teacher and for addressing comprehensibility at all levels. It is recommended that teachers be provided with a conceptual framework for software. (MES)