Science and Mathematics Software Opportunities and Needs (SAMSON) Project. Final Report.

This study analyzed the extent to which oppportunities created by computer technology addresses the needs in school science and mathematics instruction and determined what the appropriate microcomputer responses might be to those needs. Information was gathered by obtaining descriptions of most available software; reviewing published software evaluations, grant-supported software development projects, and a broad selection of software; and by consulting experts in the field, school personnel, and software developers. Findings are reported as they relate to the state-of-the-art (considering software development, availability, topic coverage, evaluation, information dissemination, and acquisition and use) and to software potential (examining software for increasing learning, for greater achievement, and for improved teaching productivity and reduced costs). Three findings are these: although software development is expensive and risky, software production is high; schools allocate inadequate resources for software acquisition; and software can increase the range of science and mathematics successfully covered. Recommendations based on these and other findings focus on teacher training and support, software development (particularly software that promotes problem-solving skills), classroom implementation, research, and ways to disseminate information about software (such as microcomputer resource centers and software reviews). The report concludes with an extensive bibliography followed by three appendixes: (1) a list of names and addresses of math and science software vendors, (2) a paper by Harold G. Peters entitled "The Future of Computers in Science Education: An Imaginary Dialogue," and a directory of sources of software information. (JN)