As part of the Electrical Engineering program at the Univesity of Southern Maine, students are typically introduced to Two's Complement algebra and representation, a method to include negative numbers in the binary representation of integers that is widely used in microprocessors and related digital systems. The traditional, procedural method to…

Discusses informal education as a form for learning about computers and describes relevant computer competencies on four levels based on empirical project work. Computer learning offered by formal, organized programs and by informal methods via the media are reviewed. Contains 56 references. (Author/LRW)

Project Bank was initiated at Triton College (Illinois) to increase student awareness of the merits of word processing as it affects their class work and related assignments; to make faculty aware of advances in word processing programs; and to increase the utilization of the college's computer laboratory. All fall 1985 incoming freshmen were…

The authors argue that definitions of computer literacy are too broad and that the term "computer competence" more usefully addresses questions of knowledge and skills. A taxonomy of computer competence, comprised of four levels, is proposed, and its uses for elementary through higher education are discussed. (MT)

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)

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)

Today, undergraduate students enter college with increasingly more sophisticated computer skills compared to their counterparts of 20 years ago. However, instructors are still using traditional instructional strategies to teach this new generation. This research study examines strategies that instructors employ to teach introductory computer…

This document presents skill standards for technology occupations. An overview describes national context, changes in the updated "Millennium Edition" of the skill standards, trends in information technology, and curriculum informed by skill standards. Skill standards are presented for eight career clusters in information technology (i.e.,…

This report describes an evaluation of Computer Literacy, which is an undergraduate general studies course, offered by College of Education at a large southwestern university. The purpose of this course is to provide knowledge about computer and computing, and application skills in using Microsoft Office software. The course is coordinated by a…

Physicians wishing to become computer literate face two immediate problems. First, there is no readily available nor universally accepted statement of what such literacy should entail, and second, such pedagogic mechanisms as exist are not widely available. This paper addresses both problems. (SSH)

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…

The gap between male and female participation in elective mathematics is now being replicated in computer classes. School districts implementing computer education programs should take action to ensure sex equity. (MLF)

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…

Responds to comments in March/April issue of this journal on use of microcomputers in elementary/junior high schools, focusing on use in elementary schools. Addresses issues of funding for microcomputer purchases, availability of software, and teacher/student training. Suggests that programing is not an essential requirement before purchasing…

Suggests approach to teaching definitions and concepts of computer programs to learners at all age levels by using words (string manipulations) rather than numbers. An outline of a possible sequence for introducing the BASIC programming language is given. Two references are cited. (EJS)