Describes a study of 647 preservice teachers in Ontario that used the Computer Ability Survey (CAS) to assess 4 components of computer literacy: software ability, awareness, programming skill, and perceived control. Correlations and validity for the CAS are discussed, and results of a principal-components factor analysis are reported. (Contains 39…

Describes 12 constraints imposed by culture on educational software portability. Nielsen's seven-level virtual protocol model of human-computer interaction is discussed as a framework for considering the constraints, a hypothetical example of adapting software for Mexico is included, and suggestions for overcoming constraints and making software…

The effects of teaching with analogies on students' conceptual understanding and explanations of educational computing were examined with three groups of preservice teachers in a computer literacy course. Students who were taught using complete analogies were found to have a better grasp of computing concepts than those taught using undeveloped…

Presents results of a survey of faculty members in doctoral-level educational administration programs that examined the use of computers in administrative training programs. The present status and future directions of technological training of school administrators are discussed, and a sample curriculum for a course in technology and computing is…

Describes study that compared differences in computer attitudes, degree of computer literacy, locus of control, and commitment to computers between male and female student teachers at the University of Toronto. A literature review of previous studies on gender differences is presented, and the statistical methodology of this study is detailed. (31…

Presents results of a study designed to measure the extent to which factors including age, sex, and previous experience with computers influenced the levels of anxiety experienced by teachers and school administrators learning to use computers. Results indicate that beginning adults require adequate time working with computers to lower anxiety…

This study compared preservice teachers' confidence to transfer computer applications into their classroom instruction depending on whether they were taught computer literacy from a theory perspective focusing on skills alone or from a theory and application perspective where their computer skills were learned simultaneously as they completed…

Describes a study of high school students that presents two exploratory path analyses of potentially relevant variables influencing both computer course enrollment and self-perceived computer proficiency. Computer attitudes and computer attributions are investigated, and implications for designing educational strategies are discussed. (25…

Reports on a study that examined the extent to which selected computer-related attitudes, aptitudes, and interests have similar predictive value for the retraining of elementary versus secondary school teachers. Having participants experience ways in which computers can be useful for them provides a framework for learning and understanding…

Describes the development and validation of the Microcomputer Beliefs Inventory (MBI) that was designed to measure the self-efficacy and outcome expectancy beliefs of middle school students in grades six, seven, and eight toward computers. Results are compared by grade level and gender, and uses of the MBI are suggested. (nine references) (LRW)

Discusses results of a national survey of Canadian secondary school students that investigated their conceptions of the role of computer technology within the educational system. Topics discussed include equal access; gender differences; patterns in access and usage of home computers; and implications for further research, including international…

Describes a study of undergraduate students that examined the relationship between selection of college computer courses and self-perceived proficiency in using computers, computer causal attributions, and selected computer attitudes. Gender issues are addressed, correlations between variables are examined, and implications for educators are…

Discussion of the competence of school administrators in the use of technology focuses on the results of a survey of data processing specialists in 165 school districts that was conducted to determine the importance of various educational computer applications. It is recommended that educational applications of computers be included in preservice…

Presents results of a citation analysis of works involving computer applications to education and discusses changing characteristics of the literature over time. Fifty-six frequently cited works are grouped into a taxonomy of 14 topics under four majors themes: implementation; research, development, and evaluation; learning and human cognition;…

Reports on a study examining how well several personal variables predict elementary school teachers' use of computers for teaching. Variables examined included innovativeness, teacher locus of control, perceived relevance of computers, and self-competence in using computers. Data on age, gender, and years of computer experience were also…