Surveys at a midwestern middle school showed that most students have much greater access to computer technology than previously predicted. While students want the hardware and software to produce original, professional-looking documents, teachers want both traditional television hookups and cutting-edge instructional tools. Information about…

Discusses essential commands of the BASIC programing language to help secondary school English teachers develop an understanding of the language and enable them to create programs to supplement English lessons. A core program that can be easily modified by teachers for developing a series of programs is described in detail. (MBR)

Describes a study that compared the effects of microworld microcomputer training and real world training on sorting behaviors of 2- and 3-year-olds. Discussion of the relationship between cognitive development and the ability to process microworld training focuses on different reactions between the two age groups. (42 references) (CLB)

Researchers studied the interaction of college students with Piagetian tasks on microcomputers and found that the microcomputer system provided several advantages over the original tasks, as well as new alternatives for studying logical thinking processes. An example of a programed Piagetian task is appended, and 16 references are included. (MER)

Emphasis in instructional technology has shifted from programed to individualized to computer-based instruction. Programed and individualized instruction have had limited success in raising student achievement and improving attitudes, while computer-based instruction has raised achievement, positively affected time needed for teaching and…

Discusses the impact and effects of many hours of interaction with computerized video games on the acquisition and development of spatial visualization skills and their relationship to mathematical and scientific aptitude. Sex differences in spatial ability and learning of spatial visualization skills are discussed, and references are listed. (EAO)

Discusses the evolution of current decision support systems (DSS) computer software and their potential for use in assessing cognitive ability. Current applications of computer software for structured and unstructured problem solving are examined together with the feasibility of computerized adaptive testing. Characteristics of computer-based…

Survey of Ohio State University faculty members and administrators examines their attitudes and perceptions regarding need for, and potential use of, a computerized database to increase efficiency of graduate school administration, and to collect and generate data for academic departments' use in improving programs. Proposed database design is…

Discusses interactive videodisc technology (IVD) development and potential; education and training capabilities specifically related to developing countries; costs; technical capabilities; likely applications which justify IVD's initial programming expenses; specific IVD applications relative to remedial mathematics and science education, job…

Systematically investigates, defines, and organizes variables related to production of internally designed and implemented computer assisted instruction (CAI) courseware: special needs of users; costs; identification and definition of realistic training needs; CAI definition and design methodology; hardware and software requirements; and general…

Discusses design of a relational database system for monitoring activities related to graduate education at a research university. Current and projected applications are described: preparing informational reports and projections, monitoring student status, assisting graduation services, preparing departmental files, and researching matters related…

Description of a computer system that converts text automatically into a form suitable for browsing and consultation online focuses on its use for online documentation. Also discussed are possibilities for its applications in automatic indexing, index access, and authoring systems for computer-assisted instruction (CAI). (four references)…

Reports on the design considerations involved in the development of a series of interactive videodisc modules in pre-calculus mathematics. Topics discussed include math deficiencies and anxieties at the college level; videodisc and microcomputer technology; instructional design; learning theories; and the results of two field tests in secondary…

Describes telephone survey of undergraduate students at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst that was conducted to determine student opinions of policies that require them to take computer courses and/or to own a personal computer. Student attitudes toward computing and the variables that contribute to these attitudes are examined. (15…

Describes study of undergraduates in business communication classes at Arizona State University that was designed to investigate how attitudes affect students' use of microcomputers. Results indicate that students with more computer experience are more likely to have positive attitudes toward computers than those with less experience. (15…