Planning and debugging strategies and group processes predicting learning of computer programming were studied in 30 students aged 11 to 14. Students showed little advance planning. Factors associated with learning included high-level planning of program chunks, debugging of single statements, explaining, and verbalizing aloud while typing.…

The use of the computer language Logo offers an excellent opportunity to use technology to help develop problem-solving skills and other mathematical concepts. Examples of explorations are presented. (MNS)

Suggestions for how teachers can use the programs in the Micro Primer Software Packs are given. While the reader needs to be familiar with the programs to make full use of the comments, some ideas concerning the interaction between child, computer, and teacher can be garnered. (MNS)

The changing nature of educational technology in our society provides elementary school teachers and other educators with numerous challenges and problems for the elementary school curriculum. One such challenge is to teach students how to solve problems and utilize the general education they acquire to arrive at realistic solutions. Elementary…

One of a series, this booklet and related programs have been developed to help primary school teachers in England introduce problem solving and investigatory activities to their pupils. The theory of problem solving which underlies the views in this booklet is that of Professor Keith Jackson, director of the Bulmershe-Comino Problem Solving…

An activity is described in which students write programs for each other using the Logo programing language. A program developed by two fifth graders is discussed. (MNS)

Provides rationale for and description of an acid rain game (designed for two players), a problem-solving model for elementary students. Although complete instructions are provided, including a copy of the game board, the game is also available for Apple II microcomputers. Information for the computer program is available from the author.…

Reports findings of a study demonstrating that language experience techniques can help students comprehend math story problems and successfully apply the mathematical concepts necessary for their solution. (FL)

Seymour Papert, creator of LOGO, explains how he came to create this important problem-solving language and how he intended it to be used to foster learning among children. What children can do with turtle geometry (indicated to be a natural approach to mathematics) is one topic considered. (Author/JN)

Use of a microcomputer spreadsheet program to help students understand long division is described. An example of a problem with powers of 10 used with seventh graders is presented, with note of another lesson on decimals for grade 6. (MNS)

This manual is used with MATHBOXES, a computer program written for Apple II microcomputers to help children relate formal mathematical symbols for representing simple word problems to the informal strategies using physical objects that they naturally use to solve them. There is a substantial body of research that documents that young children are…

This study investigates whether groups of children on a microcomputer task show superior performance to individuals and whether the differences are due to social-cooperative or individual-cognitive facilitation. Considers the relationship between expressed knowledge and problem-solving performance across three conditions. (Author/CT)

This annotated bibliography contains 12 references on computers in elementary school mathematics. Topics include developing mathematical concepts with microcomputer activities, teaching mathematics with computers in primary grades, microcomputers and problem solving, review for grade 1 software, early learning of logic and geometry using…

Describes a computer curriculum for 7- to 12-year-old children which is designed to integrate the computer into multiple subject areas and stimulate the development and sharpening of critical-thinking skills. The course is divided into eight conceptual units, each containing educational computer games or simulations and some related off-line…

The three learning modules in this package are designed to provide elementary school teachers with exploratory level learning activities that will encourage students to understand technology and become technologically literate. The package is organized around the following major content areas: (1) computer technology--in which students use…