Ten years of instrument development are summarized and placed within a framework for assessing the impact of technology in education. Seven well-validated instruments spanning the areas of attitudes, beliefs, skills, competencies, and technology integration proficiencies are presented, along with data analysis examples. These instruments are…

Briefly describes the objectives and design of the MicroRead Index, a microcomputer-based index which utilizes word and sentence length to measure readability of written materials. The program computes a reading level and a consistency index for comparative analysis and determines whether the sample size used was adequate. (MBR)

The pre-math computer program for preschool children that is described is divided into subprograms representing different basic numerical concepts--discrimination, recognition, and recall--and presents research design used to test the program's effectiveness with Head Start preschool children. Results indicate the program was ineffective…

Traces the first year of planning, development, and implementation of microcomputer applications in a rural Kansas school district; reports how Stages of Concern (SoC) adoption model was used to monitor this process; and demonstrates how SoC might be used to guide staff development in relation to microcomputer implementation. (MBR)

Describes a study focusing on different presentation methods (pairs of students; entire class; and noncomputer list game-type setting) of a computer-based science simulation to sixth-grade students to determine the most beneficial method for student achievement. Results indicate large group instruction is slightly more beneficial. (MBR)

This study investigated effects of microcomputer placement in three resource rooms for learning disabled elementary school children to explore student and teacher behavior changes and teacher microcomputer use. Results indicate no significant impact on student and teacher behavior. Teacher use varied, with teachers assigning different priority…

Describes the development and pilot testing of an interactive software lesson series designed to increase reading and writing abilities of illiterate adults and adolescents. Results of pilot studies of the High Quality Educational Program indicate the microcomputer approach to instruction combined with appropriate software offers a promising tool…

School psychologists and education students and faculty were asked to distinguish between computer-generated and individually written psychological test comments and indicate cues used in making identifications. Even though results indicate correct identification did not differ significantly from chance, school assessment reports must provide more…

Discusses the findings of four studies that examined the use of microcomputers in special education classrooms. Surveys, interviews, and observations were used to discover software currently in use with handicapped learners, the instructional design limitations of software, and the potential impact of computer-assisted instruction on handicapped…

Provides an overview of expert systems and examines the use of such systems in schools to alleviate problems faced by special services personnel, e.g., psychologists, counselors, special education teachers, and speech pathologists. Highlights include rule-based expert systems, descriptions of prototype expert systems in education, and…

Describes the development and preliminary validation of the Computer Attitudes Scale (CAS), which is designed to provide researchers and educators with a way of assessing some basic student attitudes about computer usage. (MBR)

This study investigated the effects of presentation mode--microcomputer versus paper text presentation--school grade, and reading ability on third and fifth graders' attention to and comprehension of simple reading tasks. Results indicate that despite the fact children overwhelmingly preferred the computer presentation, it did not result in better…

This study of preschoolers and their interactions with microcomputers identifies behaviors between children (positioning for turn at microcomputer, assisting peers, enforcing rules, dominating microcomputer) and between child and computer (object aggression, defending property, key manipulations, touching monitor). Children's understanding and…

This study identified teachers' attitudes about educational computing and investigated the effects of a university-offered inservice teacher education course on these concerns. Affective changes in teachers enrolled in the course were measured using the Stages of Concern Questionnaire, and implications of the findings for designers of such courses…

The elementary and secondary teachers most involved in integrating computers into instruction in 55 school districts were surveyed to determine their perceptions of how classroom computers should be used, misuses of computers or situations when they should not be used, and ways to improve computer use in educational settings. (MBR)