Note that we stopped updating this page in January, 2007. New covers are listed on the home page (click the thumbnail to zoom in on the title lists on the cover image). Subscribers have access to full versions of back issues, in PDF format.
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November/December
2000
Vol. 8, No.
6
The Ultimate Holiday Shopper's
Guide, p. 4 & 5
Creating on the Computer, p. 14 & 15
Smart
Toy Watch, p. 16
School Supplement, p. 17-32
Brain Games, p. 17 & 18
Top 100 Programs for Schools, p. 32
Little Clickers: Holiday
Hoopla, p. 44
Directory
of New Releases
Mailbag
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September/October
2000 Vol.
8, No. 5 You can download this issue as a 1.2 MB
PDF
file.
The Ideal Computer Setup
Must-Have Starter Programs
Back to School Tools
The Best Search Engines for Kids
School Supplement: The Next Big Thing
AOL Goes to School
Top 100 Programs for Schools
Getting Your Child Online
Instant Messaging
How to Get Online, Step by Step
Little Clickers: Halloween
Fun
Directory
of New Releases
Mailbag
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July/August
2000 Vol.
8, No. 4
Six
Strategies for Raising a
Scientist
Symptoms
of a Future Scientist
More Science Software Ideas
School Supplement: Teachers' Choices: The Best & Worst
Software
Top 100 Software Programs for Schools
Summertime Games
Software Trends & Forecast (E3 Report)
Little Clickers: Meet
Harry Potter
Directory
of New Releases
Mailbag
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May/June
2000 Vol.
8, No. 3
CSR's Annual Gender & Technology Survey
Rx for Math
School Supplement: Making Sense of the Dotcom Madness
Top 100 Programs for Schools
Worry-Free Games
Little Clickers: Horse
Crazzzzy!
Game Controllers That Make a
Difference
Site Seeing for Families
Directory
of New Releases
Mailbag
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March/April
2000 Vol.
8, No. 2
Learning to Read 2000
The Best Reading Software
Reading SOS
CSR School Supplement: Accelerated Reader vs. Reading
Counts
Writing & Computers
The Best Writing and Typing Software
Top 100 List for Schools
Directory
of New Releases
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January/February
2000 Vol.
8, No. 1
A Day In the Life of a Kid in the Year 2020
Which Printing Program is For You?
CSR School Supplement
Encyclopedia Shoot Out 2000
Directory
of New Releases
Mailbag
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1999
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2000 | 1999
| 1998 | 1997 |
1996 | 1995 |
1994 | 1993
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November/December
1999 Vol. 7, No. 6
- The Most Amazing Holiday Gift List
Ever -- "We've sifted, searched and cursed…and here
it is -- Our list of the 50 best gifts for this
year…"
- Two SAT, ACT Prep Programs Compared
-- "Oh, how we wish these CDs were around when we were
preparing for those college entrance
tests!…"
- Trend Watch: JuniorNet
- The Latest Word on Children's Typing
Programs -- "Trying to figure out which typing program is
right for your kids? …"
- Computer Shopping Wisdom, Tips and
Tricks -- "In the 17 years we've been reviewing software,
we've burned through all shapes and sizes of computers,
and we've learned a thing or two about getting our
money's worth…"
- Directory
of New Releases
- Mailbag
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September/October
1999 Vol. 7, No.
5
- Look it Up! A Comparison of
Children's Search Engines -- "You've probably discovered
that the Internet is only as good as the search engine
you're using…"
- Software Evaluation 101 -- "Choosing
the best books, manipulatives, toys and software is an
important and essential task for anyone who works with
children…"
- Lessons for The New Millennium- From
the Journals of Lewis & Clark -- "The coming of the
year 2000 marks the bicentennial (actually 2003) of the
Lewis and Clark expedition…"
- IMac or PC?
- Directory
of New Releases
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July/August
1999 Vol. 7, No.
4
- Every Parent's Videogame Primer: The
Next Generation of New Media Products Brings Exciting
Possibilities and New Worries
- Videogame Survival Glossary for
Adults -- "Having trouble keeping up with all those crazy
gizmos?…"
- Smart Toy Update: Furbys -- "Furbys
are amazing animatronic dolls that are crammed with
electronics…"
- Maintaining Academic Skills Over the
Summer -- "Now that the kids are finally out of school,
they are more than ready to sit back and
relax…"
- CSR Editors Take On E3, The
Industry's Crystal Ball
- 21 Terrific Games for Summer Time Fun
-- "The kids have worked hard all year and now it's time
to play!…"
- Mailbag
- Directory
of New Releases
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May/June
1999
Vol. 7, No. 3
- Special Report: What Kids Really Do
on the WWW: An Article Every Parent Should Read -- "The
open, uncensored nature of the Internet has been the
cause of great concern for adults…"
- Next Generation Musical Toy: Build
with Blocks of Mozart (Music Blocks,
Neurosmith)
- Coming Soon! A sneak peek at what's
coming this Fall
- Teacher's Choice: Software Winners
& Losers
- Yes! Kids Can Program Computers --
"Computers are powerful devices, but they are only as
powerful as the people who program
them…"
- Research Review -- "No time to read
the latest research journals in educational
technology?…"
- Hardware News: A report from the CSR
test lab
- Mailbag
- Directory
of New Releases
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March/April
1999 Vol. 7, No.
2
- Homework Help: Software for the
Ultimate High-Tech Homework Center
- Internet News: Nine Great Sites for
Kids, Parents and Teachers
- Sneak Preview: New Stuff That Could
Knock Your Socks Off!
- A Conversation with Mark Schlichting:
The Guy Who Thought Up the Living Books -- "If someone
asked you to name the best children's software ever made,
Living Books would surely make the
list…"
- Help! My Child is Hearing Impaired --
"Have you ever tried to play a CD-ROM without the
sound?…"
- History -- "If ever there was a
perfect use for all this whiz-bang technology, it is for
turning one of the most boring subjects into one of the
most exciting…"
- Recognizing the Best Children's
Software in the World: 16 Titles to Receive the 1999
Bologna New Media Prize
- Mailbag
- Directory
of New Releases
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January/February
1999 Vol. 7, No.
1
- Reading Software: Help with Reading
is Just a Mouse Click Away! -- "It's an all too familiar
experience. You emerge from your parent-teacher
conference with a sinking feeling…"
- Internet News: The Electronic Parent
-- Are You Willing to Pay for Web Site
Connection?
- When is a Tattoo Really a Tattoo? --
"'Tell them it's not fair!' said ten year old Liz, after
she tested one of the new "Tattoo" design
programs…"
- What Printing & Publishing
Program Should I Buy? -- "As more people have scanners
and color inkjet printers plugged into their PCs, the
demand for print and design programs has dramatically
increased…"
- Keyboarding Programs: Which are Best
for Your Kids? -- "Remember when "typing" referred only
to old Royal typewriters
- Directory
of New Releases
- Mailbag
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1998
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2000 | 1999
| 1998 | 1997 |
1996 | 1995 |
1994 | 1993
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November/December
1998 Vol. 6, No.
6
- Toys that plug into PCs: Gadgets or
Gimmicks? -- "As you begin to scan the toy shelves in
search of holiday gifts for your children, you'll see a
brand new crop of computer devices…"
- Internet News: The Electronic Parent
-- Internet Screening Help
- A Close Look at the Leading 1999
Encyclopedias -- "If you were stranded on a desert island
with just one piece of software, you'd be lucky if you
ended up with the 1999 edition of one of these five
encyclopedias…"
- Holiday Buyer's Guide
- Mailbag
- Directory of New Releases
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September/October
1998 Vol. 6, No. 5
- Do
Computers Make Kids Smarter? Sure, But It's Just Not That
Simple -- "It's been a matter of debate now for years. Do
computers make children smarter?…"
- In Defense of Edutainment: A
challenge to Seymour Papert, educator and inventor of the
computer language LOGO -- "The other day, while I was
sitting in the waiting room at my dentist's office, I
came across a column that reminded me of what a bad word
"edutainment" is to some people…"
- Internet News: The Electronic Parent
-- How to Snoop on Your Child's Online
Activities
- Parent Tips from Children's Software
Revue -- How to Use Your Home Computer to Support Your
Child's School Learning
- A Survey of the Latest Software
Gender Roles -- "There's no doubt about it. The numbers
show that both boys and girls have plenty to choose from
in the software department…"
- Two New Reading Tests -- Innerlogic
Reading Edge & Reading Success Test
- What Makes an "Edutainment" Program
Classroom Friendly?
- Smart Home/Classroom Learning -- "In
search of a little wisdom and
inspiration?…"
- Rx for Math Skills -- "Whether
counting to ten or factoring polynomials, there are
plenty of exciting math programs that can give abstract
symbols meaning for children…"
- Future Releases
- Mailbag
- Directory of New Releases
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July/August
1998 Vol. 6, No.
4
- Summertime Edutainment: Turn Your
Computer into a Tutor! -- "Ahhhh-Summer! Two and a half
months of "goofing off", playing in the sunshine,
resting, relaxing. Does a body good. But how about the
mind?…"
- Safe, Fun Games -- "Looking for some
good, clean fun this summer?…"
- Internet News: The Electronic Parent
-- Hand-Held Toys
- A Closer Look: Software to Support
Speech & Language Therapy
- E3 1998 Future Releases
- Babies & Computers? Exploring the
Controversy -- "When "JumpStart Baby" was first announced
a year ago, many thought the title was a
joke…"
- Mailbag
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May/June
1998 Vol. 6, No.
3
- Carmen! A Conversation with
Brøderbund's CEO, Doug Carlston -- "Few people
will ever know that when the first Carmen Sandiego
program made its debut in 1985, it nearly
bombed…"
- Cooperation at the Computer -- "Two
darling children sit happily at the computer, taking
turns with the mouse, working contentedly together
through a software program. Sounds like a fantasy,
right?…"
- Internet News: Ask a Librarian -- 13
Great Websites for Grown-Ups
- Learning with Marbles! A Comparison
of Six Software Marble-Based Logic Games
- The ESRB Rating System
- Rx for Science -- "We sifted through
over 500 science titles and picked 26 that support nearly
every aspect of science, from anatomy to
zoology…"
- The Electronic Parent: The Real Truth
About the WWW -- "You've seen the .coms on billboards and
magazine covers…"
- Future Releases
- Mailbag
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March/April
1998 Vol. 6, No.
2
- The
Children's Software
Conversation -- "January 22,
1998 was the day that forty-six children's software
designers, educators and educational researchers met-on
their own initiative-at Stanford Univ. for what one
participant called the "Woodstock of Educational
Technologists."…" See also: Standford
Children's Software Conversation
Transcripts
- ?Habla Español? Guess what?
The best foreign language programs for kids are the ones
for adults…"Internet NewsComputer Ages & Stages: What
Young Children Can Do, and WhenRx for Reading & Writing -- "Few
would debate the importance of learning how to read and
write…"Future ReleasesMailbagDirectory of New Releases
- Six
Myths about Children &
Computers
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January/Febrary
1998 Vol. 6, No.
1
- Scanners & Kids: Create! With
Your Computer -- "If you were lucky enough to have
parents that took pictures of your childhood, you know
how meaningful these "celebration of the past" can
be…"Internet News Page, Children's
Internet Site Evaluation InstrumentTalking Barbie-90s StyleTwo New Sketchpads
Compared1998 Encyclopedia
ComparisonRx for History -- "Few would argue
against the notion that the best way to learn about
something is to experience it…"Future Releases
- Mailbag
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1997
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2000 | 1999
| 1998 | 1997 |
1996 | 1995 |
1994 | 1993
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November/December 1997
Vol. 5, No. 6
- Create! With your Computer --
"Looking for fun craft projects to do with the kids this
holiday season?…"Is Something Living in Your Computer?
-- "CSR's last editorial on Tamagotchi toys, the handheld
electronic pets from Japan, received quite a bit of
attention…"An Evaluation of the Microsoft
Actimates Early Learning System -- "One of the most
interesting children's toys you'll see this fall is the
talking Barney doll, produced by Microsoft
Corp…"Davidson Retools the Blasters --
"Ending much confusion, Davidson has simplified the
names, prices, and platforms for the entire 10 member
Blaster line…"A
Conversation with Dorling Kindersley's Peter
Kindersley, CEO of DK
Interactive -- "To most Americans, Dorling Kindersley,
(or DK) is not a household name…"CSR's 4th Annual Holiday Gift
Guide!Rx for Geography -- "We screened 163
geography titles, and then picked 11 that make practice
enjoyable…"Mailbag
- Directory of New Releases
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September/October 1997
Vol. 5, No. 5
- Explosive Growth in Software for
Girls -- "In our last issue of CSR (June/July '97), we
surveyed 1084 programs from 1996 and 1997 and found a
significant shortage of female lead characters (212 male
vs. just 75 female)…"Mars: Sites and Software to Support
Your School Curriculum -- "The idea of a small,
radio-controlled buggy exploring the surface of another
planet has helped us adults remember what it is like to
be a child again…"Internet Update: Tools For a
Child-Friendly InternetSoftware Spotlight: Titles For
Toddlers -- "While child development experts debate the
appropriateness of computer activities for children under
age 3, eager parents have answered the question on their
own&emdash;by purchasing large numbers of titles like
JumpStart Toddlers…"A Look at "Kid Packs" -- "Bundles,
Libraries, Kid-Paks…whatever you call them, one
thing's for sure. We're seeing them more and
more…"Supporting Your School Curriculum:
Software for Algebra -- "If you know a 7th, 8th or 9th
grader who is dreading the prospect of facing polynomials
this fall, here's some welcome relief…"Supporting Your School's Curriculum:
Your Dream Classroom -- "'I have one computer in my room,
a PowerMac 5200, which I use for word
processing…'"Rx for Spelling -- "The computer can
be the perfect tool for making the process of learning to
spell more fun, but not without the right
software…"Mailbag
- Directory of New Releases
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June/July 1997
Vol. 5, No. 3
- So…You
Live With A "Computer Junky?"
-- "It's no secret that the CSR staff are obsessed with
computers…"Rx for Math Skills -- "We screened
390 math titles, and then picked 18 that pack in
math-facts practice…"How Smart Are Computers Really? --
"'Dad…can Fin Fin see me through the glass?" asked 5
year old Steven, staring wide-eyed at the little critter
on the screen…"Research Update: Software for Girls
-- "…girls reported that they like adventure-based
software, video games, and sports activities, all themes
perhaps traditionally thought of as boys'
territory…"Rainy Day Software -- "Here are some
choice picks for those rainy days when kids are looking
for indoor fun…"A
Conversation with Jan Davidson , co-founder of Davidson &
Associates, Inc. -- "For the first time in 20 years, Jan
and Bob Davidson, two successful pioneers in the
children's software industry, cleaned out their
garage…"MailbagIndustry NewsFuture Releases
- Directory of New Releases
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May 1997
Vol. 5, No. 2
- Rx For Reading -- "Were you one of
those kids who breezed through the process of learning to
read?…"Home Computer IQ Tests: Do They Work?
-- "We admit it. Our curiosity was piqued from the first
moment we saw Virtual Knowledge's new assessment
software, the Children's IQ and Achievement
Test…"Top Web Sites -- "Here's a new CSR
feature…"Winners of the First Bologna New
Media Prize AnnouncedParents Want to Know -- Common
QuestionsMailbagBookshelf & News
- Directory of New Releases
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February/March 1997
Software Vol. 5, No. 1
- The Real Truth About How Families Use
Computers -- "So you've jumped on the technology roller
coaster and purchased a home computer…"EasyBall or Mouse? -- "Recently, we
were asked to advise an elementary school on whether to
invest in the purchase of the Microsoft EasyBall, for use
in Kindergarten classes…"Software For Your Science Fanatic --
"Any teacher or parent knows, it's perfectly natural for
children to go through periods of infatuation with one
particular subject…"MailbagBooks & Industry News
- Directory of New Releases
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December 1996/ January 1997
Vol. 4, No. 6
- The Bright Future of Children's
Software: Predictions for 1997 -- "1996, the year that
marked the 100th Anniversary of the births of both
learning theorists Jean Piaget and Lev Vygotsky, was also
a year that saw the greatest advances in learning
technology…"A Closer Look at 3 Top
EncyclopediasDirectory: Where to Find Reviews on
the InternetCumulative Index --
1993-1996Reader Rabbit's Interactive Reading
Journey 2 vs. Friendly Forest Reading ClubWant to Know Your Kid's
IQ?A Look at Recent Chess
ReleasesThe BookshelfIndustry NewsMailbag
- Directory of New Releases
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1996
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2000 | 1999
| 1998 | 1997 |
1996 | 1995 |
1994 | 1993
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October/November 1996
Vol. 4, No. 5
- 5 Myths About Kids Writing With
Computers -- "Of the three 'R's' (reading, writing &
'rithmatic') it is the second 'R' -- writing -- that can
be the hardest to master for many
children…"A Comparison of Five Recent Math
ProgramsThe BookshelfIndustry NewsMailbagFuture Releases
- Directory of New Releases
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August/September 1996
Vol. 4, No. 4
- Getting Started: A Checklist for
Success -- "Like blocks, books, and crayons, computers
can be another regular quality activity for
children…"Computer-Shopping TipsInventorLabs and Invention Studio: A
Closer LookSoftware for Special Education
Needn't be Boring -- "After reviewing some software
specifically designed for children with special needs, we
were forced to take a hard look at our position on
whether or not to recommend these
programs…"Teacher Survey: Favorite & Least
Favorite SoftwareThe BookshelfIndustry NewsMailbag
- Future Releases
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Purchase this issue online ($8) with this
order
form
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June/July 1996
Software Vol. 4, No. 3
- Software Spotlight: Top Science
Software -- "We are all scientists…from the time we
are babies…"Dear Bill Gates,…Dorling Kindersley: A Company to
Watch -- "No article on science software would be
complete without mentioning British Publisher Dorling
Kindersley (or DK)…"Gender Roles in Children's Software
-- A Survey of 1995 Software ReleasesThe BookshelfIndustry NewsMailbagFuture Releases
- Directory of New Releases
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Purchase this issue online ($8) with this
order
form
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April/May 1996
Vol. 4, No. 2
- Software Spotlight: Top Interactive
Storybooks -- "Once upon a time, in the cold fall of
1991, there was a simple program called Just Grandma and
Me that took a nice little storybook and gave it an
electronic twist…"A CSR Test Family Compares Opening
Night & PlaytoonsThe BookshelfIndustry NewsMailbagFuture Releases
- Directory of New Releases
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February/March 1996
Vol. 4, No. 1
- Top Ten Titles for Creativity -- "As
computers have improved over the past year, so have
children's creativity programs…"The Mouse vs. Alternative Input
DevicesNEW (Type to Learn) vs. CLASSIC
(Mavis)Industry NewsMailbagFuture Releases
- Directory of New Releases
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1995
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2000 | 1999
| 1998 | 1997 |
1996 | 1995 |
1994 | 1993
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Purchase this issue online ($8) with this
order
form
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December 1995/January 1996
Vol. 3, No. 6
- Software Spotlight: 1995 Holiday
Buyer's GuideTid Bits -- "Falling Software Prices
(Sort Of)…"Recommendations For The Best
Children's $2000 ComputerCumulative Index --
1993-1995Table of Ratings --
1993-1995Survey: Our Readers' Best and Worst
TitlesMailbag
- Directory of New Releases
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Purchase this issue online ($8) with this
order
form
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October/November 1995
Vol. 3, No. 5
- Software Spotlight: Software for
Those "Problem" Areas -- "Now that children are well into
the school year, we have begun to receive questions about
ways to help teach skills in 'problem
areas'…"News, Publications & Special
EventsNewsweek Releases Guide to Children's
SoftwareHardware NewsA Closer Look at the Winnie the Pooh
CDNew Electronic BooksMailbagFuture Releases
- Directory of New Releases
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Purchase this issue online ($8) with this
order
form
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August/September 1995
Vol. 3, No. 4
- Software Spotlight: Back to School
Software -- "The home that our children get a great
education is universal…"Windows '95 and
Kids…Table: Good Mail Order Software
SourcesHardware NewsMailbag
- Directory of New Releases
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Purchase this issue online ($8) with this
order
form
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June/July 1995
Vol. 3, No. 3
- Software Spotlight: Music Software --
"Any adult who has watched a child in the early stages of
language development has witnessed a remarkable
process…"Software For Second Languages -- "We
had assumed that we would be able to find plenty of good
software for teaching second languages to
children…"Children and KeyboardingWindows '95: A Case StudyHardware NewsMailbagFuture Releases
- Directory of New Releases
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Purchase this issue online ($8) with this
order
form
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April/May 1995
Vol. 3, No. 2
- Software Spotlight: References for
Kids -- "Ask any veteran teacher: one of the best ways to
get a child's attention is to hide something in a bag and
say 'guess what's inside!'…"Compton's '95 vs. Encarta '95 -- The
Verdict?Libraries & Software: The Time
Has Come! -- "You're on your weekly outing to the public
library…"A Look at Microsoft BobHardware NewsMailbagFuture Releases
- Directory of New Releases
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Purchase this issue online ($8) with this
order
form
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February/March 1995
Vol. 3, No. 1
- Software Survey: Top Geography
Software -- "In our quest for valuable geography
software, we identified a total of 68 titles from our
database…"Research Snapshot: Gender Equity
& SoftwareSoftware Close-Up:
AnatomyComparison: Print Shop vs. Print
ArtistSelecting Software for Children with
Developmental DelaysHardware NewsMailbagFuture Releases
- Directory of New Releases
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1994
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2000 | 1999
| 1998 | 1997 |
1996 | 1995 |
1994 | 1993
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December 1994/January 1995
Vol. 2, No. 6
- Holiday Buyer's GuideSoftware Spotlight: Software For
Literacy -- "Of all that you learn, nothing is as
mysterious or debated in education as
literacy…"Hardware NewsMailbag
- Directory of New Releases
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October/November 1994
Vol. 2, No. 5
- Software Spotlight: Software For
Science -- "Science for children is a subject that can be
thrilling or extraordinarily dull…"Hardware NewsMailbag
- Directory of New Releases
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August/September 1994
Vol. 2, No. 4
- How to Buy SoftwareHardware NewsMailbag
- Directory of New Releases
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June/July 1994
Vol. 2, No. 3
- Software Spotlight: Math Facts
Software -- "Kissing your aunt, cleaning your room, and
learning your math facts are just a few of the unpleasant
but necessary facts of childhood…"Hardware News
- Directory of New Releases
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April/May 1994
Vol. 2, No. 2
- Software Spotlight: Creativity --
"'WOW!' says 3-year old Kelsey, as she repeatedly adds
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Copy friendly All Star List!