Microcomputers can serve a variety of functions in the special education classroom, including drill and practice, tutoring, music composition and theory, communication aids, and data management. Special educators must make informed choices in selecting, adapting, or writing their own software (lists of authoring tools and software resources are…

Describes a statewide computer competition involving young programers (individuals and groups) who developed software packages on energy and water conservation. Project rules, guidelines, challenges, evaluations, prizes, commitments, benefits, and costs are discussed. (BC)

An efficient division algorithm is developed, using a computer program, to convert any positive fraction to its decimal representation. The computer program listing is included. (MNS)

The section includes four articles on the use of computers for gifted students. Topics covered include basic information for parents, care and operating routines, a curriculum guide for computer literacy, the computer's role in problem solving, and computer applications for mathematically gifted students. (CL)

Describes the Archive Retrieval and Analysis System (ARRAS), which provides rapid access to textual data and fast, flexible, open-ended analysis of individual texts; explains why the system should be viewed as a new kind of working environment; and suggests that such systems may influence users' intellectual point of view. (MBR)

Addresses single-user microcomputer systems and information processing applications normally performed through use of data management, spreadsheet, word processing, business graphics, and communications software. Both hardware and software considerations are included with an emphasis on hardware once appropriate application software-level packages…

Argues that computer assisted instruction is valuable and suggests that teachers begin to develop software and share it with colleagues. Offers examples of such efforts. (FL)

Points out that although there are thousands of software programs available to support educational applications, there is a paucity of suitable courseware. An in-place system for proper evaluation of courseware that, to date, has "approved" more than 200 computer-assisted instructional programs is described. (JN)

A college study examined whether students' ability to learn FORTRAN was related to the characteristic way they separate and organize information. Results and implications for further study are offered. (DF)

Presents specific practical suggestions about evaluating and selecting word processing programs and text editing programs for students learning to write on microcomputers. (CRH)

The article describes ways in which learning disabled students can use simple database management and word processing programs as active users. Involvement in these types of computer applications allows the user to be an active, creative communicator. (CL)

Discusses the relationship between the problems involved in the creation of expert systems by knowledge engineers, i.e., experts at translating human abilities and knowledge into computer programs, and the major issues dealt with in the planning/analysis phases of instructional development. (MBR)

A function-graphing program is given, plus a series of experiments that students can carry out using the program. (MNS)

Discusses benefits and pitfalls of networking or disk-sharing in computer labs where microcomputers are connected to a central disk drive which runs one program for all microcomputers at one time. Copyright and software compatibility from educators' and publishers' perspectives, costs, time factors, and educational objectives are included in the…

A program is given which offers students a chance to practice mental computation and judge the effects of various rules for formating output. (MNS)