Examines the structure of undergraduate computing at a large private university, including patterns of use, impact of computer ownership and gender, and the bureaucratic structure in which usage is embedded. The profile of computer use uncovered in a survey is compared with reports offered by the institution and the trade press. (10 references)…

Describes results of a study conducted by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) to determine the computer competence of elementary and secondary students. Questions in the areas of knowledge of computer technology, computer applications, and computer programing are discussed, gender and ethnic differences are examined, and…

Many entering freshmen lack computing skills. Minority students and women of low socioeconomic status are particularly susceptible to academic failure when they are ill-equipped to meet faculty demands for computer-assisted coursework. Reasons for these "deficiencies" are explored. The author also describes courses developed to assist…

Explores some of the issues raised by the introduction of computers into society and, in particular, questions concerning the impact, both direct and indirect, of the availability of computers on the young. (CMG)

Describes telephone survey of undergraduate students at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst that was conducted to determine student opinions of policies that require them to take computer courses and/or to own a personal computer. Student attitudes toward computing and the variables that contribute to these attitudes are examined. (15…

Forty-three preservice teachers in programs for hearing-impaired students were studied to determine the effects of age, sex, and computer experience on their attitudes toward computers. Measurements of computer anxiety, confidence, and liking indicated that computer experience corresponded with positive computer attitudes; age and sex had no…

An analysis of 87 undergraduate questionnaires found that students' perceived increased levels of expertise in 25 skills after taking a self-paced word processing and worksheet/spreadsheet applications course. Examined the relationship between age, gender, race, and grades, and found a positive correlation between grades and perceptions in…

Discusses the significant, historically-rooted gender differences in equality of computer access and performance outcomes. Identifies issues to be dealt with to assure a future in which girls will succeed in technology-based education. Suggests research issues and discusses the mathematical component of computing, influence of family, gender bias…

This report presents the results of a study conducted to determine if the use of a microcomputer increases the problem solving ability of junior high school students. Two seventh grade classes from similar schools in the state of Virginia were selected for the study. The first group was exposed to introductory computer literacy skills and simple…

Discussion of hypermedia-based instruction (HBI) focuses on the effects of cognitive style on student achievement. The development of interactive software for eighth-grade students studying computer ethics is described; gender differences are examined; problems are identified; and information-accessing frequency is discussed. (LRW)

Reports on a survey of California State University system faculty to examine the extent to which they utilized computers professionally and to determine their computing resource needs. Responses from 237 faculty members were analyzed for differences in gender, existing computing skills, integration of computing into instruction, use of…

Today's technological development in multimedia, Internet, and CD-ROM provides opportunities to use computer-assisted instruction (CAI) for diverse applications. This study examined the following questions: (1) do significant differences exist in the preference for CAI between male and female students? (2) do significant differences exist in the…

As schools acquire and use computers for educational purposes, two major questions arise: (1) whether students from different strata of society will obtain equal access to computers, and (2) whether students from different strata of society will be taught similar or different uses of the computer. To explore the relationship between the…

Although computer use in a variety of educational environments has grown tremendously in the past five years, issues of who uses the computer and how they use it are arising. Preliminary research indicates that computer access is related to both socio-economic status (SES) and sex, with male students from wealthier school districts being most apt…

An advocacy packet on educational equity in computer education consists of five separate materials. A booklet entitled "Today's Guide to the Schools of the Future" contains four sections. The first section, a computer equity assessment guide, includes interview questions about school policies and allocation of resources, student and teacher…