At what levels should business data processing be taught and what should be the desired training or career education outcomes at each education level? The levels discussed here are (1) comprehensive secondary school, (2) secondary vocational skills center or technical institute, (3) community or junior college, and (4) college or university. (LRA)

Purpose: The literature advocates educational decision-making processes that are either intuitive or systematic. While the two approaches seem to be incompatible, each has its merits. Intuitive thinking is considered to be holistic and creative, whereas the systematic approach has the advantages of a theoretical foundation and accuracy in data…

The future of data processing (DP) will depend upon how business teachers handle the subject. A high school DP curriculum should provide background and basic entry-level skills to prepare students for opportunities in this rapidly growing field. (SK)

Offers tips to high school publication staff members on planning a survey, preparing the survey form, conducting the survey, tabulating the results, and preparing the survey as a readable, interesting feature. (GT)

This project surveyed the business community, graduates of secondary school data processing programs, and Texas community colleges to determine employment opportunities, identify needed competencies, and establish appropriate high school curricula in data processing. (SK)

The Advanced Computing/Management Training Program at Jordan Technical Center (Sandy, Utah) simulates an automated office to teach five sets of skills: computer architecture and operating systems, word processing, data processing, communications skills, and management principles. (SK)

Content analysis of 13 textbooks and 2 Department of Education documents was conducted to ascertain common word processing, database, and spreadsheet software skills in order to determine which specific skills should be taught in a high school computer literacy course. Aspects of a basic computer course, created from this analysis, are described.…

Demonstrates how a spreadsheet program can do calculations, freeing students to question, analyze data and learn science. Notes several popular spreadsheet programs. Gives an example using Lotus 1-2-3 spreadsheets for a sampling experiment in Biology. Shows other examples of spreadsheet use in laboratory activities. (CW)

Cryptography is the science that renders data unintelligible to prevent its unauthorized disclosure or modification. Presents an application of matrices used in linear transformations to illustrate a cryptographic system. An example is provided. (17 references) (MDH)