Three eras of educational computer use may be identified: (1) 1960s--large mainframe use and beginning of time-sharing; (2) 1970s--microcomputer utilization and continuation of time-sharing; and (3) late 1970s to 1980s--microprocessor/microcomputer classroom use. Networking is trying to solve limitations of microcomputers for many instructional…

The Caddo Career Center, a secondary vocational-technical school located in Shreveport, Louisiana, has undertaken an innovative approach to solving two problems common to vocational education: (1) how to provide time for vocational instructors to return to the "world of work" in order to keep up-to-date on computer technology; and (2) how to…

Selection and specification of a minicomputer time-sharing system to extend computer facilities for large scale computer-based instruction projects at the University of Texas at Austin are described. Two and a half years of implementation and operating experience are summarized followed by seven specific course applications of the minicomputer.…

This report is a preliminary description of a prototype of a second generation version of the PLATO IV (Programmed Logic for Automated Teaching Operations) student terminal. Development of a new terminal has been pursued with two objectives: to generate a more economic version of the PLATO IV terminal, and to expand capacities and performance of…

A global survey of new technologies providing opportunities for delivery of the world's knowledge directly to the home and office is presented, along with the organizations now using them, including the French and British videotext systems, the U.S. electronic newspapers, and the computer-assisted video disc. (Author/MLW)

This article provides a historical survey of computing in academe from scientific- and engineering-oriented batch computing through contemporary student use of personal computers in a wide range of disciplines. The transition from batch-style, through timesharing, to distributed computing using stand-alone microcomputers in conjunction with…

The MERIT Computer Network interconnects computing systems of three large universities: The University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and Wayne State University. This telecommunication system facilitates the sharing of computing resources among students, faculty, and research staffs of those institutions. The present document provides an…

With support from the National Science Foundation and the University of California, the Physics Computer Development Project have produced in the last six years computer based material in a wide variety of modes. Among the major products are science learning dialogs, graphic additions to APL (A Programming Language), the underlying software, and…

Computer science is becoming increasingly important in our society. Meta skills, such as problem solving and logical and algorithmic thinking, are emphasized in every field, not only in the natural sciences. Still, largely due to gaps in tuition, common misunderstandings exist about the true nature of computer science. These are especially…