The proliferation of personal computers in home/schools and use of computer chips in educational toys has led to a rethinking of ideas about education and fun, and ways the two can combine to provide youngsters with enjoyable and profitable learning experiences. Provides examples of commercially available computer-oriented educational toys/games.…

Discusses issues related to possible health hazards associated with viewing video display terminals. Includes some findings of the 1979 NIOSH report on Potential Hazards of Video Display Terminals indicating level of radiation emitted is low and providing recommendations related to glare and back pain/muscular fatigue problems. (JN)

Different ways to use a microcomputer in mathematics instruction are examined. The first part deals with the kinds of prerecorded programing resources available, and how these can be used effectively. The second part briefly looks at some simple programing activities that can be used within the context of mathematics instruction. (MP)

Ahl's questions about computers are investigated to determine if items could be used as scale to measure student beliefs about computers. Based on results of two samples--31 college students majoring in computer science and 109 students taking biology course--a 17-item scale was developed. Eight references are listed. (EJS)

Discusses the rationale for sharing courseware between educators, describes the problems of hardware incompatibility associated with software sharing, and introduces a multilingual interpreter system which allows instructional software implemented in different computer languages and on different machines to be shared with a minimum of work. A…

A method is detailed for introducing computer usage into any course in a medical curriculum and concomitantly stimulating student utilization of such technology. It is felt medicine will rely more heavily upon computer uses in the future, and that familiarity with computer technology provides confidence and competence in physician usage. (MP)

Distinguishes between computer hardware and software and discusses status of software, application development productivity, software production, and research directions. (JN)

Describes UNIX time-sharing operating system, including the program environment, software development tools, flexibility and ease of change, portability and other advantages, and five applications and three nonapplications of the system. (JN)

Realization of the potential of computer electronics for enhanced human productivity and economic impact depends strongly on the university. New human resources and continuing education for the existing work force and new ideas for research and development will come from that sector. University-industry coupling is fostered. (JN)

It is noted computer literacy is being placed within school curricula even when the general movement in education seems to be back to basics. The situation in Foothills Elementary School in Monterey, California is detailed. Economics is seen as the main issue that limits immediate expansion of computers in schools. (MP)

The use of computers as laboratory instruments is viewed as overlooked. Numerous applications developed for a simple, single-board microcomputer by a group of Technical Education Resource Centers (TERC) are noted. The trend toward decreasing costs of lab interfacing is expected to continue into the future. (MP)

The pedagogy, logistics, and administration of computers in chemical education at the college level is detailed. (MP)

The use of the computer as a computational tool in linear algebra is featured. The programs described evolved from an undergraduate course that ended with a unit on linear programing. (MP)

The mathematics laboratory at the University of Denver is described and its use of microcomputers is discussed. (MP)

Part one of a two-part feature on computers includes: what a computer is, how a computer works, a miniunit to introduce computers into the curriculum, a kooky computer quiz, computer applications, examples of computer use in several schools, and information on computer careers. (KC)