The Shelter Society is a grassroots mental health consumers organization whose members sought access to the Internet and instigated a computer training program to improve their self-advocacy skills. The program fostered a sense of empowerment and prepared participants to make informed decisions. (SK)

Discussion of computer usage and familiarity focuses on an empirical study of college students that investigated the relationship between computer familiarity and cognitive ability. Results are reported that indicate a positive correlation between high scores on cognitive ability tests and computer usage, but no gender differences are reported.…

Although content-based instruction may eventually produce the same quality of learning as skill-based training, the latter produces results more quickly because skills are practiced earlier. Commonly used for teaching computer skills, the skill-based approach has other applications such as accelerated language learning and the Yamaha method of…

Three students (aged 14-15) with severe handicaps were trained in independent use of a microcomputer, using a variation of the total task chaining procedure. All students were able to complete all necessary steps for computer use in an average of 16 sessions, thus expanding their available instructional and recreational opportunities. (Author/PB)

Traces the early history of the electronic digital computer and the viewpoints held concerning the computer from its inception to its present status. Highlights three key words ("mimesis,""topic," and "decorum") to develop the rhetoricality of the personal computer as a communications device. (KEH)

Analyzes the discourse of Logo lessons and suggests that successful learning of Logo concepts may involve a careful structuring of the teaching context. (SR)

Business teachers who teach computer applications face three major challenges: making their classes attractive to students; managing individualized, multiactivity classes; and developing independent business software users. The last-mentioned goal is the primary reason for the existence of the business department. (SK)

Discusses the use of computers to help with problem solving. Topics include information science, including effective procedure and procedural thinking; templates; artificially intelligent agents and expert systems; and applications in education, including the goal of computer literacy for all students, and integrated software packages such as…

College advisors can use the internet to communicate daily and exchange information with colleagues around the world, through a user-friendly academic advising forum. Basic instructions for joining an academic advising forum on the internet are provided. (Author/MSE)

Offers 10 suggestions for improving professional development courses to encourage teachers to use technology in the classroom: offer training, give them technology to use at home, provide on-site technical support, support collaboration with colleagues, allow attendance at conferences, increase access time, encourage research, provide online…

Eight superintendents who are regular Internet cruisers write about their experiences. Most are not computer junkies but favor certain features, especially e-mail, to enhance communication with school community members and help accomplish district objectives. Listserv discussion groups keep these administrators apprised of educational trends (like…

This article presents the University of New Hampshire's approach to ongoing training of computer users and argues that training is an investment with a large payoff. The article considers factors affecting training success; computer support; academic computing training; and administrative computing training, including developing a user services…

Describes a four-phase chemistry activity designed to offer students an opportunity to gain and practice skills in research, written and verbal communication, database creation and use, and to work as part of a problem-solving team. (ZWH)

Identifies three basic types of students of technical writing who fear writing with a computer. Offers suggestions to encourage them (and all technical writing students) to at least become more comfortable and current with writing technology. (SR)

The basic educational requirements desired by businesses of new employees and the relationship of the computer to their work were determined through site visits to 17 businesses. Employers wanted microcomputer proficiency, excellent communication skills, analytical and interpersonal skills, and background in word and data processing and…