Drawing from work by Shadish, Cook, and Leviton (1991) on social program evaluation, the authors discuss recent changes in evaluation theory and practices, and they connect these changes to technology and student learning. Concluding with a list of recommendations for evaluating the effectiveness of technology in teaching and learning, the authors…

The hypermedia nature of the World Wide Web may represent a true paradigm shift in telecommunications, but barriers exist to the Web having similar impact on education. Some of today's college students compare the Web with "bad TV"--lengthy pauses, links that result in error messages, and animation and sound clips that are too brief. (PEN)

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)

Defines games, instructional games, and computer instructional games; discusses several unique capabilities that facilitate game playing and may make computer games more attractive to students than noncomputer alternatives; and examines the potential disadvantages of using instructional computer games on a regular basis. (MBR)

Suggests use of simulation as an educational strategy has promise for the school of the future; discusses specific advantages of simulations over alternative educational methods, role of microcomputers in educational simulation, and past obstacles and future promise of microcomputer simulations; and presents a literature review on effectiveness of…

Describes generic types of databases--file management systems, relational database management systems, and network/hierarchical database management systems--with their respective strengths and weaknesses; discusses factors to be considered in determining whether a database is desirable; and provides evaluative criteria for use in choosing…

Discusses lack of courseware for deaf and learning disabled; presents results from a survey which indicate that microcomputers are used in schools for the deaf despite lack of courseware; describes current exploratory and programed learning courseware; discusses its effectiveness; and reviews problems, weaknesses, and future potential for…

Argues that schools should focus on developing individuals capable of independent learning for technological/information age; basic skills can be taught at home with microcomputers; major changes are necessary in organizational structure, curriculum, instructional mode, software design, and teacher education to accommodate new educational…

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…

Discussion of microcomputer use in public elementary schools focuses on the field of special education. Two main ways of using computers are described: (1) traditional uses, including administration, computer-assisted instruction, and assessment; and (2) new applications, including programming, word processing, simulations, and prosthetic aids…

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…

Presents several examples of models for applying data management computer programs to instruction from point of view of an imaginary student. Commentaries following each example speculate on virtues and possible shortcomings of each approach, with the intention of offering valuable perspectives for improved understanding of effective computer use…

Describes the Minnesota Education Computing Corporation (MECC) Computing and Information Collection, a collection of software products for students in grades 4-12. These products are designed to support individual course content objectives and introduce and practice information literacy skills. Curriculum applications in language arts,…

Addresses several important questions regarding the teaching of computer ethics that are being raised by educators, but have been neglected at conferences and in computer education literature: why teach computer ethics; what ethical issues should be taught; who should teach computer ethics; and when and how it should be taught. (MBR)