This plan for a 3-week unit on computer literacy is designed to acquaint students with the computer, what it is, what it can and cannot do, its impact on society, and career opportunities. The students learn to use the computer through interaction with a canned program, and write a short program using the BASIC language. The plan indicates what to…

Given the state of the art of computing in 1982, it is not necessary to know a computer language to use a computer. Three aspects of the current state of computing make it mandatory that educators from elementary through postsecondary levels rapidly incorporate this skill into the curriculum: (1) computers have permeated society--they are used in…

To help educational administrators and policymakers use computers effectively, this handbook provides an overview of computers and their role in education. Using a question-and-answer format, the author first defines computers, interactive computing, computer hardware and software, and programing languages. The same format is followed in the…

Reports on East Tennessee State University's computer literacy program for faculty members. Discusses the course's objectives, syllabus, approach, assignments, evaluation and future goals. (ML)

Presents a categorization system that allows potential microcomputer users to make more reasoned, conscious choices to ensure that a range of software types and activities are available for their instructional programs. (SRT)

Discusses various types of job skills: necessary (writing, speaking, listening), traditional (interpersonal, phone usage, records management, keyboard, office management), and new skills (computer literacy, ability to conceptualize mentally), and the corresponding curricular needs. The college's role in this process is presented also. (CT)

This discussion of the development of information technology in developing nations is based on case studies of seven Asian countries. The experiences of the countries are compared in terms of the infrastructure development, organizational processes, applications, human resources development, and public awareness. (CLB)

To achieve computer literacy in schools, districts need to address the current role of the computer in education, answer technical questions about older equipment, and schedule staff development training. Financial planning for school computers should include alternatives for generating capital, school business partnerships, foundations, and…

Describes the computer literacy requirement of the Professional Teacher Preparation Program at Arizona State University. Highlights include microcomputer-based software used; word processing; database skills; spreadsheet tasks; teacher utilities for producing graphic materials, generating tests and practice exercises, and keeping records; and…

Reviews results of a survey by the American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) of 3,835 scholars in the humanities and social sciences who are working both in colleges and universities and outside the academic community. Areas highlighted include professional reading, authorship patterns, computer use, and library use. (LRW)

This study concerns school policies and actions which foster the hiring of minority teachers to promote the study of science, mathematics, foreign languages, and computing among minority students. Successful recruitment programs for students were found, but new ways must be devised for attracting minority teachers to these fields of study. (VM)

Librarians should adopt a teaching role to instruct users in microcomputer literacy, as microcomputer laboratories and software collections are increasingly a part of academic libraries. University of Wisconsin-Parkside has provided microcomputer orientation workshops and faculty seminars in their microcomputer lab for students, faculty, and…

Librarians should become more active in designing information systems so that their extensive knowledge of how people articulate their information needs and evaluate their findings can be incorporated into new systems. These systems would be more responsive to user needs than those driven by the machine or data processing mindset. (EM)

Describes survey of student use of microcomputers in 319 small and 350 large public high schools throughout the United States. Finds 99% of schools owned microcomputers chiefly for instructional purposes. Discusses problems of large student/computer ratios, high costs of microcomputers and software, and teacher reluctance to use new technology.…

Summarizes results of a University of Nebraska study on effects of different teaching methods on student performance in a computer literacy course for business administration students. Merits and weaknesses of the large class approach--the more successful method--are discussed, and academic achievement as a function of gender is analyzed. (MBR)