The Prescott (Arizona) Unified School District No. 1 has developed a computer literacy program which reaches from the fourth-grade to the senior high school level. It emphasizes: (1) learning the history of computers; (2) understanding their influence on society; (3) teaching about current and potential uses; and (4) understanding how computers…

Cites four philosophies of educational computing: computer as tutor, object to be taught, tool to accomplish specific tasks (such as word processing), and toy. Also describes new, informal educational software for the home market, including graphics programs and disk magazines. Specific examples are included. (JN)

This report focuses on the status and future of computer technology in Massachusetts schools. The report is organized into four major sections. Introductory information is provided in section 1, followed by a framework (section 2) for viewing computer technology. This framework provides information on computer hardware components, computer…

Summarizes the characteristics and special features in a variety of mainframe, minicomputer, and microcomputer systems; discusses the applicability of each in school instruction; provides information about hardware, instructional capabilities, courses, and curricula available from computer manufacturers/publishers; and discusses future uses and…

The nature of many computerized community bulletin boards is described. A system called Communitree is profiled as a version with many distinct advantages over generic bulletin board systems. It is felt that their strong points are carefully orchestrated details, and their weak points are intelligent compromises. (MP)

The PLATO IV computer-based educational system contains its own communications hardware and software for operating plasma-panel graphics terminals. Key echoing is performed by the central processing unit: every key pressed at a terminal passes through the entire system before anything appears on the terminal's screen. Each terminal is guaranteed…

This research project was designed to provide information which will be of assistance to science educators responsible for and interested in the development, implementation and evaluation of educational programs and courses designed to foster computer literacy. A questionnaire concerning computer use in the classroom was answered by 3,576 science…

In this Illinois district, the superintendent has set a goal of universal computer literacy; to accomplish it, he spent $250,000 for 220 microcomputers to serve both staff and students. (Author/JM)

Addresses various issues in educational computing, suggesting that the real crisis facing schools is not a software shortage but a hardware crunch accompanied by misconceptions about how computers can help children learn. (Author/JN)

In anticipation of the educational needs of the late 1980s in science, mathematics, and engineering education, the National Science Foundation has supported a variety of projects that can serve as examples and models of the uses of computing in science education. These projects fall into three categories, focusing on the computer as a tool of…

This document describes the development of the PLATO system, and six figures illustrate the chronological development of PLATO terminals, lesson programing languages, instructional material, and system usage. A list of financial supporters of PLATO and the Computer-based Educational Research Laboratory is followed by a chronological listing of…

Reviews software on: gas laws for IBM (disk available-SERAPHIM); gas chromatographic separation simulation for TRS-80 (listing available from author); vapor pressure data display with theoretical fit for Apple (author will copy on your disk); and second virial coefficients of nonpolar gases using the Kihara potential for TI-59 calculators. (JM)

Addresses key issues facing universities which plan to establish instructional computer graphics facilities, including computer-aided design/computer aided manufacturing systems, role in curriculum, hardware, software, writing instructional software, faculty involvement, operations, and research. Thirty-seven references and two appendices are…

Describes Iowa State University's Computation Center. Center's responsibilities include computer science research and providing computing services to the university. System Industries' Trade and Exchange program (permitting used Digital Equipment Corporation disk drives to be exchanged for new SI equipment at substantial cost savings) was used to…

Describes the nature of modern general-purpose computer systems, including hardware, semiconductor electronics, microprocessors, computer architecture, input output technology, and system control programs. Seven suggested readings are cited. (FM)