tudents become better problem-solvers instead of just rote learners.
             By the time a student is in middle school he or she should be able to use software tools such as word processing , data bases, spreadsheets, and telecommunications. But the computer can be used for so much more. The computer can be used as a tutor or for research on any topic. As a tutor, the computer presents subject material, then evaluates reponses and determines what to present next. This is excellent reinforcement for instruction because it can supplement prior teaching, or it can be used by the student to learn what the student chooses to learn in a student-centered learning environment.
             The most common use of computers has been drill and practice, but if it is programmed it can do a lot of other things beneficial to learning. For instance, it can be used as a calculator in math, a map-making tool in geography, or as a text editor. It can put students in situations in which they must write, and search, or communicate with people far away. In addition to writing documents, computers can be used to make presentations. Desktop publishing was first designed for business use, but is now being designed for use in the classroom. This software makes presentations and documents look professional and motivates students to perform and learn more.
             In teaching social studies, telecommunications can make the entire world accessible. Students can learn about other countries by communicating directly with the people who live there. This enables the students to focus on cross-cultural comparisons of social customs, governments, educational systems and career patterns. For example, it would be very interesting to communicate with a Japanese student and compare the work force in Japan to the work force of America. I think students would be very surprised and interested in learning that there are major differences between these two cultures. Computers can also be used to a...