Computers offer the teacher a tool for instruction in the Social Studies that allow students to be motivated, learn social skills, attain moral ideals, develop thinking skills, and acquire knowledge easily. The findings of this review suggest that the software selected for classroom use must reflect the desired educational goals and that the teacher needs to have a clear understanding of the objectives and of the technologies' strengths and weaknesses. In order to evaluate effectively and measure the computers' contribution to education, the review indicates that the emphasis in standardized testing should focus on the knowledge that computers are able to instill in students. Time, patience, quality training, creative software, and commitment to the use of computers in the classroom are all necessary for the computer to show its true capabilities. The subject areas of language arts, mathematics, and sciences frequently use computers in the classroom. Case studies of the effectiveness of computers in the schools provide differing results and factors for consideration. Contains 23 references. (Author/CK)