With microcomputers becoming more readily available and the forecast for a growing need for a computer literate society, business education teachers should be ready and willing to accept the challenge of preparing students for the information age. (Author)

Computer skills were identified and grouped as follows: operating systems, graphical user interface, word processing, spreadsheets, and databases. Responses from 47 of 420 employers rated proficiency in all of these groups essential. Database skills were particularly highly rated. (SK)

The explosion of special-purpose computing devices--Internet appliances, handheld computers, wireless Internet, networked household appliances--challenges business educators attempting to provide computer literacy education. At a minimum, they should address connectivity, expanded applications, and social and public policy implications of these…

Presents strategies for teaching computer skills at a distance. Explains the operation of the Georgia Statewide Academic and Medical System interactive distance learning network and describes nine sample class activities. (SK)

Presents an approach to teaching computer literacy that will motivate students to learn and understand basic computer vocabulary, encourage student research activities, and provide opportunity for verbal presentation by students. (JOW)

According to a North Carolina survey, principals believe that all marketing graduates should be computer literate and that marketing courses are an effective way to integrate academic and vocational education. They feel that marketing teachers need to stay abreast of the business world and are interested in articulation, especially tech prep. (JOW)

Business education teachers have the background and knowledge to teach keyboarding basics to elementary school students, who need these skills for using microcomputers. (SK)

Keyboarding is an important skill that teachers often have limited time to teach. Software packages offer ways to analyze learners' skill levels, identify weaknesses, and generate structured individualized learning materials and prompts. (SK)

Responses from 46 of 262 administrative office support workers showed that a majority were involved in providing office technology training to subordinates, peers, and superiors, although it was in only one-third of the job descriptions. More than 95% was informal training/question answering. (SK)

We must update and expand the existing training programs in marketing and distributive education by adding (integrating) computer instruction. Computers will help students to move at their own pace in developing competencies that will equip them to function in the world after school. (JOW)

Business teachers who teach computer applications face three major challenges: making their classes attractive to students; managing individualized, multiactivity classes; and developing independent business software users. The last-mentioned goal is the primary reason for the existence of the business department. (SK)

The basic educational requirements desired by businesses of new employees and the relationship of the computer to their work were determined through site visits to 17 businesses. Employers wanted microcomputer proficiency, excellent communication skills, analytical and interpersonal skills, and background in word and data processing and…

Discusses the responsibility of educational systems to make students computer literate and the need for teachers to be trained adequately in computers and in hardware and software selection. (JOW)

This group of articles includes the National Business Education Association's position statements on business education's role in educational reform and in computer literacy, an overview of the National Standards Project in Business Education, and statements by the Policies Commission for Business and Economic Education on keyboarding, computer…

A survey of 1,000 business professionals received 527 replies concerning the importance of good keyboarding skills. Respondents recommended that keyboarding instruction begin in elementary school and that schools of business should consider establishing keyboarding training sessions within companies. (JOW)