Surveys of middle school students and teachers revealed: (1) more technology in student homes than in school; (2) away-from-school technology use by both groups; similarity in skills both groups wanted to learn; teachers' different priorities for student uses of technologies than for their own; and three set of implications relating to technology…

Reports on uses of microcomputers at the University of Michigan including word processing, extending laboratory experience, simulation, games, tutorial uses, and building skills in computing. (RAO)

Acquaints the reader with the personal computer, emphasizing its use as an aid in the learning process; considers the types of hardware available and software related to educational uses; and offers advice to those just entering this area. (Author)

Discusses some prominent applications available today for most microcomputer systems, including: teaching computing to all students, the computer as a problem solving tool, games, drill and practice, simulation, and testing. (Author)

Presents a survey of user needs for microcomputer software in elementary and secondary schools. Approaches to software development are highlighted and the future of microcomputers is discussed. (RAO)

Suggests criteria for choosing a programing language in courseware development. Authoring languages (PILOT, TUTOR, BASIC, and PASCAL) are compared; driver programs' compilers and interpreters are discussed; and the tasks of an authoring system are presented. (RAO)

Presents a case for the integration of stand-alone microcomputers into the educational environment through time-sharing networks utilizing medium to large-scale central computer facilities. The PLATO system is used to illustrate the evolution of distributed processing in the computer-based education environment. (Author)

Discusses the following microcomputer storage devices: floppy discs, cassette tapes, and cartridge drives; and notes the potential of magnetic bubble and charge coupled device memories. (RAO)

Defines terminology relevant to microcomputers. (RAO)

Presents a technical description of Radio Shack's TRS-80 microcomputer system. Storage and memory are discussed, as well as limitations of the system and a sample program for coding and scoring true-false questions is given. (RAO)

Focuses on the advantages of using the microcomputer rather than the minicomputer. Descriptions of the programing process and system components for the microcomputer are followed by a list of 11 types of computer programs that can be processed at this time, and a brief discussion of research goals. (RAO)

Describes evolution of an in-house database search service developed by University of British Columbia's Educational Research Services and Computing Center. The tryout phase in developing a model for downloading citations to serve end users as a beginning nucleus for use in microcomputer accessed personal information systems is highlighted. (MBR)

Reviews research findings on variables in computer screen displays and their effects on learning for use by purchasers or designers of computer systems for instructional purposes. Variables discussed include fatigue, density of displayed text, scrolling, upper-case vesus upper- and lower-case lettering, letter size, and graphics. Ten references…

Reviews research on effective teacher characteristics and generalizes them to effective microcomputer instruction. Characteristics discussed include allocating adequate time for academic tasks, curriculum pacing, providing supportive and efficient learning environments, use of group management procedures, teaching skills before drill and practice,…

Discusses conflict between instructional potential of interactive videodiscs and interests of educational publishers and proposes a generic videodisc as a solution. Generic disc design preferences, equipment needed by teachers to program various learning options to adapt materials to local needs, and a list of videodisc authoring systems are…