With support from the National Science Foundation and the University of California, the Physics Computer Development Project have produced in the last six years computer based material in a wide variety of modes. Among the major products are science learning dialogs, graphic additions to APL (A Programming Language), the underlying software, and…

The director of an educational technology center, who maintains that much of today's computer courseware is of low quality, provides a checklist of points which can be used to identify educationally viable software then outlines two future scenarios for academia, illustrating the results of courseware selection. (JN)

Three articles discuss the development, availability, uses, and future of authoring systems. An overview of 74 authoring software packages is provided that includes vendors and costs; Crowell describes the development of interactive software, including programing and authoring languages; and Bork describes tools for developing technology-based…

This paper describes the history, philosophy, and outcomes of work at the Educational Technology Center at the University of California, Irvine, with particular emphasis on the activities of the Physics Computer Development Project. Ten years of evolution for the physics projects and its basis of grant support are examined, and a series of…

Reflects on major advantage of computers as learning devices--interaction--and discusses stages involved in production of materials for computer-based learning. Use of authoring languages is discouraged. A vision of the future includes hardware; producers, distributors, and users of computer-based learning materials; and educational changes…

The personal computer is sparking a major historical change in the way people learn, a change that could lead to the disappearance of formal education as we know it. The computer can help resolve many of the difficulties now crippling education by enabling expert teachers and curriculum developers to prepare interactive and individualized…