Describes a study that examined potential predictor variables and their relationship to computer aversion among preservice teachers. It was hypothesized that prior experience, ownership of a personal computer, and critical thinking ability would be negatively related to computer aversion, and that an introductory computer literacy course would…

Discusses the effects of change and innovations on teachers. Describes the use of the Stages of Concern Questionnaire of the Concerns-Based Adoption Model to examine teachers' concerns about the introduction of microcomputer technology in an elementary school. Addresses the importance of teacher training. (LRW)

Discusses keyboarding strategies for elementary school students with learning disabilities using microcomputers. Describes a study that evaluated the efficacy of instruction in systematic scanning against a baseline of no instruction and students' current hunt-and-peck strategy. Repeated measures of typing rates showed no advantages of the…

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…

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)

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…

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…

This discussion of the use of microcomputers by mentally handicapped learners focuses on software availability and selection. Criteria for evaluating software are given, including considerations of visual display, reading level, program design, drill and practice opportunities, positive reinforcement, format variety, graphics, instructional…

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…

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…