The current use of microcomputers in the British educational system seems dogged by a mainframe philosophy. As a consequence, the educational potential of microcomputer peripherals has not been carefully considered. Research is urgently needed in this area so that decisions are made on strong educational and technical grounds. (Author/LLS)

Discusses a major, national plan (Fifth Generation Computer Systems) for Japan to become number one in the computer industry by the latter half of the 1990s. Includes comments on the likely success of and problems associated with the plan supported by Japan's Ministery of International Trade and Industry. (JN)

Discusses developments in computer education at the elementary secondary level in Tasmania, South Australia, and West Australia. Six references are listed. (LLS)

A three-phase exploratory study was conducted to make available to British Columbia schools the best in microcomputer hardware, to assist project coordinators and teachers in the integration of microcomputer courseware into the established curriculum, and to evaluate the project. In the first phase, the Apple II Plus with 48K was selected for use,…

The programing language described was designed to remedy the weaknesses of BASIC by adding structured constructs and other desirable improvements, while retaining the major features and overall spirit of BASIC. COMAL 80 (COMmon ALgorithmic language), developed in Denmark, is proposed as an introductory programing language for schools. (Five…

The basic hardware configuration of a network of up to 17 TRS-80 microcomputer systems (1 central, 16 peripheral) is described as implemented in the psychology department at the University of British Columbia. Such a system can serve several instructional functions (e.g., data generation for lab experiments, simulation of theories or experiments,…

This six-part yearbook, consisting of individual papers, focuses on various aspects of computers and microtechnology in education. Issues and problems are addressed in part 1, including: computer role in thinking, learning, and educating; teachers' unions and the impact of computer-based technologies; evaluation of computer-assisted learning;…

Describes developments in Scottish computer education, highlighting overall policy for information technologies, Scottish Microelectronics Development Programme supporting production of educational software, Department of Industry initiatives, regional initiatives, teacher training in colleges of education, role of Microelectronics Educational…

Hardware, software, and operation of a computer package for tutoring chemical engineers is discussed. TUTCHE controls/records use of various student programs, organizing data/results in files on exit so they may be reliably retrieved on re-entry. TUTOR is a separate program allowing a tutor to examine/modify student records held in TUTCHE.…

Discusses use of microcomputers for structuring, communicating, and disseminating information under the categories of instructional use (computer-assisted instruction), emancipation (number crunching), revelatory (discovery/simulation), and conjectural (hypothesis testing). Also discusses use of PROLOG language for modeling ecosystems and testing…

This report describes a project which commenced in 1980 at the Open University in England, the object of which was to provide blind Open University undergraduate students with home-based computing facilities through the use of low-cost commercially available microcomputers and speech synthesizers. The development of computer programs that…

A pilot project was conducted to gain information to advise the Board of Directors at the University of Leyden as to the feasibility of using a computerized system to aid in instructional programs in the social sciences, law, medicine, arts, mathematics, and natural sciences at a low cost. The pilot project is divided into four parts which are…

Discusses use of computers in school administration, drawing attention to differences between computer-based administration and manual systems. Topics addressed include applications (processing student records, timetabling, and others), school and the authority, computing resources, availability of application programs, and areas (such as systems…

Describes three case studies of the Huntington II POLUT model, which was run on both the University of Waikato computer system and a bank of four TRS-80s. Prospects for the development of computer based environmental education in New Zealand are also discussed. (LLS)

Surveys and analyzes current tendencies of education in computer techniques. A theoretical introduction of the rate of development of computer techniques in education is followed by a description of present practical trends. (Author/CMV)