An Amiga 500 microcomputer with a talking word processor was used by an Australian visually impaired elementary school pupil, to provide an alternative to braille in using text and writing. This article reviews the relevant literature, explores the challenges and limitations posed by the technology, and offers a case study of the student and her…

Reports a study that examined entering preservice teachers' prior experience in word processing, database, and spreadsheet software, based on self-reported information. Factors that influenced students' entering skills (for example, gender and computer experience) were noted. Survey data indicated that the subjects had little prior knowledge of…

This paper examines two examples in Third World countries of new media being used for national development through education. The first example is the increase in television universities in China, i.e., universities that offer courses through broadcast educational television as well as videotaped recordings of television programs. Positive results…

The purpose of this study was to investigate the computer backgrounds of students enrolled in a teacher credential program. Specifically, this study attempted to determine if a person's computer background had any influence on attitude towards computer use, willingness to pursue further formal instruction in computer education, interest in using…

A study investigating the discrepancy between potential and actual use of computer software in elementary education is described. Fifth- and sixth-grade students participating in a computer literacy program in one school were surveyed by questionnaire and interview about the feedback provided in a specific piece of cartooning and creative writing…

This paper presents ideas about what is required for the development of expertise in computer technology and considers those requirements in the K-12 setting. This analysis comes from the point of view of long-time, self-trained users of personal computers and computer communications and long-time observer of the growth of technology expertise in…

Although limited finances and a student body of 3,200 have made it necessary to be selective in acquiring educational technology, the Plainfield (Illinois) Community Consolidated School District No. 202 has been very active in the regional partnership for excellence. Curricular programs at the Plainfield High School include use of…

This review of the literature describes a number of ways in which microcomputers are being used to improve instruction. A discussion of types of software being used in instructional settings focuses primarily on the use of word processing programs by both instructors and students in writing. Descriptions of types of computer software that may be…

The intent of this instructional manual, which is aimed at exploring the literature of a discipline and presented in a self-paced, course segment format applicable to any course content, is to enable college students to conduct computer-based interactive searches through multiple databases. The manual is divided into 10 chapters: (1) Introduction,…

With the advent of microcomputers during the 1970's, foreign countries have been trying to introduce some form of computer literacy into the school curriculum. This paper presents the efforts of the Department of Education of the Fiji Islands to introduce computer education into the curriculum and constraints that impede those efforts. Since the…

To determine the degree of knowledge and use of computer technology by elementary education majors at Henderson State University (Arkansas), 226 students were surveyed. Results indicated that: (1) 52 percent of the traditional students (age 24 and under) and 58 percent of the nontraditional students (over 24) felt inadequate with regard to…

In 1989, the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA) Computers in Education study collected data on computer use in elementary, and lower- and upper-secondary education in 22 countries. Although all data sets from the participating countries had not been received at the time of writing, this paper provides…

Central to this collection of nine papers is the unifying theme of excellence and quality in the American educational system with emphasis on the role of educational technology. Although each paper addresses a different audience, the content of each is similar with respect to the U.S. Department of Education's role in providing funds for such…

This collection of eight papers is designed to assist educators in becoming computer literate and in identifying and developing competencies necessary to implement microcomputers in K-12 classrooms. For the novice, it contains an overview of computers, a discussion of their use in daily life and in education, and coverage of important terms and…

This paper proposes a two-part, basic computer literacy program for university faculty, staff, and students with no prior exposure to computers. The program described would introduce basic computer concepts and computing center service programs and resources; provide fundamental preparation for other computer courses; and orient faculty towards…