The computer is a valuable tool for all levels of learning. This article discusses requirements for computer literacy, such as understanding abstract concepts and use of equipment. Suggestions for choosing software are offered. (DF)

Documentation of author's personal experience in the purchasing of a microcomputer discusses background learning, the purchase decision, needs assessment, computer literacy, general information on microcomputers, the situation assessment, and the final check. (EJS)

Discusses the impact of the computer age on American educational needs and goals, assessing the increasing use of computers and the need for improved software. Considers costs involved in providing more powerful computers to schools and calls for research to clarify knowledge underlying software interaction paradigms. (JM)

Suggests factors to be considered in planning for the purchase of a microcomputer, including budgets, benefits, costs, and decisions. Major uses of a personal computer are described--word processing, financial analysis, file and database management, programming and computer literacy, education, entertainment, and thrill of high technology. (EJS)

This guide discusses three critical steps in selecting microcomputer software and hardware: setting the context, software evaluation, and managing microcomputer use. Specific topics addressed include: (1) conducting an informal task analysis to determine how the potential user's time is spent; (2) identifying tasks amenable to computerization and…

Compares two surveys--one of school administrators and one of computer experts--on perceptions of priorities among computer competencies for school administrators. Analysis includes importance of computer literacy; programing, application, hardware/software, and resource acquisition skills; and awareness of training needs. Experts were found to be…

The establishment of university microcomputer services for the public has at least two purposes: the promotion of the image of the institution with widely diverse groups and the maximization of the university's capital investment. The first step in planning to serve the public is to undertake a needs assessment by locating target populations…

The computer literacy and education program described in this brief narrative report was undertaken by North Carolina schools after the General Assembly provided $28.4 million in funding. The goal of the program was to achieve a ratio of one microcomputer for every 50 students to permit 30 minutes of computer access per week for each student. As…

A model for designing efficient teacher training in computer literacy and usage should begin with preplanning to consider the goals, objectives, and purposes of the training; the needs of the teacher/student; the content and sequence of information to be taught; and careful evaluation procedures for use in further planning. Planners must recognize…

This description of microcomputer use in schools within the East Texas School Study Council (ETSSC), a professional organization of 80 school districts, is based on 279 responses (66%) to a survey of 422 elementary and secondary school principals. Topics addressed include hardware and software available for educational use, microcomputing…

Software collection development recommendations from principals and educational computing specialists focus on district control of software collections, budgeting, what to purchase (e.g., games versus educational programs), computer literacy, and computers as time savers for instructors. Recommended software programs are profiled, and an annotated…

Stresses the importance of clearly establishing goals for and level of services to be offered by academic library microcomputer centers when determining staff requirements. Questions to be considered when developing goals and a profile of the majority of tasks involved in center operation provide some guidelines for the planning process. (EM)

Describes the Department of Technology of the Houston Independent School District's program of computer literacy to prepare teachers, administrators, and parents for the integration of microcomputers into the school district's curriculum. Training tenets, questions to consider regarding program, student, teacher, hardware, and software needs, and…

Reports on a survey of California State University system faculty to examine the extent to which they utilized computers professionally and to determine their computing resource needs. Responses from 237 faculty members were analyzed for differences in gender, existing computing skills, integration of computing into instruction, use of…

Describes a study examining relationships between Canadian adult women's ages, goals, literacy, and attitudes toward computers and advanced technology. Results indicate a strong correlation between technical goals, enjoyment, and technical term understanding, and a belief men are more technically literate. Recommendations are made for educating…