When John Closen became principal of Rogers Elementary School he found three computers, a speech synthesizer, printer, and software and began the computerization of the school. Two years later the school is dramatically transformed. (MD)

As a way of helping states and districts interested in laptop initiatives, the Northeast and the Islands Regional Technology in Education Consortium (NEIRTEC) has reviewed lessons learned to date from many laptop initiatives around the country and has prepared this guide. Drawn from articles and reports about current and past programs (see…

Because metaphors offer ready perspectives for comprehending something new, this document examines various metaphors educators might use to help students develop computer literacy. Metaphors described are the computer as person (a complex system worthy of respect), tool (perhaps the most powerful and versatile known to humankind), brain (both…

The meteoric rise of the computer age is a challenge for public educators, many of whom are still unfamiliar with basic computer technology. Yet many educators are finding that they can correct their misconceptions about computers by becoming "computer aware." Computer awareness comes from gaining a knowledge of computer history; a basic…

Suggests eight steps for training teachers to use computers, including establishing a computer committee, structuring and budgeting for inservice courses, cooperating with other schools, and sending some teachers to the computer company's maintenance and repair school. Lists 25 computer skills teachers need and describes California and Minnesota…

The section includes four articles on the use of computers for gifted students. Topics covered include basic information for parents, care and operating routines, a curriculum guide for computer literacy, the computer's role in problem solving, and computer applications for mathematically gifted students. (CL)

The first of three parts of this booklet, which assumes no previous knowledge of computers or programming, explains what computers are and briefly describes the components of a computer system. The second section examines the different ways in which the computer can be used in higher education, including its use: (1) as a "super calculator"; (2)…

Argues against the fractured view of literacy as a set of unrelated skills, and suggests that thinking and writing about computers could provide a means for students to see literacy from a broad-based interdisciplinary perspective. Describes a graduate course designed to explore connections between computers and literacy. (KEH)

In an interview, Sherry Turkle (author of "The Second Self: Computers and the Human Spirit") discusses the development of personal styles developed by individuals using computers. She stresses the importance of having teachers familiar and comfortable with computers and students having access to computers as tools they use in the…

In evaluating a private school's incorporation of computers into the curriculum the researcher noted that the use of drill-and-practice programs taught students that computers are boring. They did not get any understanding of the varied uses for computers. (MD)

Some procedures for an inservice education program on computers are proposed. The program goal is to bring teachers to understand the microcomputer as a tool-making technology that asks people to learn how to teach it to do something. An inservice syllabus is presented in the form of a program. (MP)

The student who has an understanding of computers and other modern technologies is becoming important in college and in the workplace. Two California State Universities now require a personal computer for incoming freshmen. Vice President Albert Gore has urged all Americans to get on the information superhighway. Parents can assist their child and…

This booklet is intended to acquaint educational policy-makers with some of the current roles and potential applications of computers in the curriculum, and to encourage them to initiate actions that will lead to proper and effective instructional use of computers in school systems. It is organized as a series of questions and answers designed to…

This annotated list of references focuses specifically on computer literacy for teachers. The material is primarily directed at instructors using computers in the classroom and researchers gathering background material in the preparation of articles, grant proposals, and presentations. A total of 36 different sources are listed, alphabetized by…

In four chapters, this research report on computers in education examines computer hardware (the machinery) and software (or courseware, programmed instructions that tell the hardware what to do), classroom uses of computers, ways of bringing computers into the schools, and four districts that have successfully introduced computers into their…