Arts students should be introduced to computers in the nurturing setting of academe where they can experiment and conquer their anxieties. Programs at UCLA and other institutions suggest that artists and scientists are likely to grow closer as the computer becomes a tool on which both depend. (MLW)

At the Nebraska School for the Visually Handicapped, students participate in a computer technology program with tutorial, computer literacy, prevocational, personal use, programing, career planning, word processing, and administrative applications. (CL)

The president of the Soviet Academy of Sciences, Anatoly Alexandrov, recently announced a computer education effort designed to achieve computer literacy among all high school graduates in the Soviet Union by the year 2000. Rationale for this trend as well as the industrial and political red tape involved are discussed. (JN)

Discusses the impact of the computer age on American educational needs and goals, assessing the increasing use of computers and the need for improved software. Considers costs involved in providing more powerful computers to schools and calls for research to clarify knowledge underlying software interaction paradigms. (JM)

The Computer Awareness Program at Pennsylvania State University centers around 21 courses that provide the user community with a common understanding of computer technology. (MLF)

Teachers deserve to have appropriate training before they are held accountable for teaching about computer hardware and software, and the responsibility for this training falls to the teacher training institutions. Such a computer literacy program has been instituted at Abilene Christian University (Texas). (DCS)

The Soviet Union has embarked on a concerted campaign to put desk-top computers into every secondary school, college, and university in the country. The program envisages stepped-up production of computer technology, improved quality, and the development of new electronic hardware. (MLW)

The "Computer/Technology Skills Standard Course of Study" describes the progressive development of knowledge and skills in six strands: Societal and Ethical Issues, Database, Spreadsheet Keyboard Utilization/Word Processing/Desktop Publishing, Multimedia/Presentation, and Telecommunications/Internet. In the primary grades, the objectives…

To explore the roles that government, business, and community institutions might play in ensuring that African Americans get the job training they need to be competitive in the 21st century, the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies invited U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexis Herman to meet with representatives of the business community.…

Suggests that microcomputers may be a significant component in solving educational problems. Areas discussed include the nature of the problems, educational software development, computer assisted instruction (CAI), and effects of computers/CAI in primary and secondary schools. Comments from several government officials are also provided. (JN)

Describes a study of the changes in developmental students' affective attitudes toward microcomputers following an intensive week of computer training. Pre- and posttest results showed that computer training had a positive impact on students' attitudes and that computer-assisted instruction decreased students' anxiety and confusion and increased…

Examples are provided which illustrate that both adults and children can become fluent in computing, discussing a juggling program (Logo) which demonstrates the power of the techniques of structured programing to solve problems. Issues related to teaching computer literacy are also discussed. (JN)

Describes several different metaphors to help educators develop constructive approaches to understanding computer applications for teaching and learning. These include the computer as person, tool, brain, map, glass box, vitamin, palette, mentor, and catalyst. Computer-as-palette, for example, considers computer use in facilitating human…

Examines many imprecise definitions being given to the term "computer literacy," proposing a universal standard of interpretation which required minimal understanding and ability in programing. The proposed definition focuses on computer structure/operation as well as computer applications and limitations. Differing viewpoints for including…

Describes the development of the Computer Tutor project in Palo Alto, California, a computer literacy pilot program in which tutors are used to teach high school students and other interested persons computer programing. (JJD)