Considers three questions regarding computer science courses: (1) Can performance be predicted?; (2) Does a solid mathematical background provide the student with an advantage?; and (3) Is gender a factor in performance or aptitude? Reports a strong math background was related to achievement in a beginning course while gender was not related. (MVL)

Argues that education in computer science in secondary schools has not kept pace with curriculum developments for college programs. Suggests definitions to be agreed upon and ways to close the gap between secondary and college programs. (PK)

Discusses the designation of October, 1987, as Computer Learning Month. Traces the development of computer uses in education. Points out some of the opportunities that the observance of this event can have for collaborative activities between and among teachers, administrators, students, parents, and other community members. (TW)

Rapid advances in microelectronics over the past few years have generally been beneficial, but they have also created some problems, and questions must be asked about the philosophy for including aspects of the new technology in the school curriculum. This statement, prepared by the Microelectronics and Science Education Subcommittee of the…

Describes a computer program used to simulate Drosophila breeding and reproduction. The format of the program involved is presented as a part of the article. (PEB)

Discusses a study which focused on students' actual programming behavior. Descriptive data revealed that the high school students spent little time in planning their programs or writing their code. Their debugging behavior was characterized as a trial and error strategy. (ML)

Provides activities (and program listings) related to a Mendelian genetics experiment, Tetranacci numbers, and Pascal loops. Also suggests using the computer and spreadsheets to plan the production of a school yearbook. (JN)

Activities for middle/junior high school students are presented, including use of string variables, science lesson ideas, computer scavenger hunt, and guidelines for interviewing people who own/use computers. Includes "I'll Write...Just Lead Me to My Computer" by Robert Engberg, discussing word processing instruction. (JN)

This curriculum guide presents 100 lessons for an advanced placement course on programming in Pascal. Some of the topics covered include arrays, sorting, strings, sets, records, computers in society, files, stacks, queues, linked lists, binary trees, searching, hashing, and chaining. Performance objectives, vocabulary, motivation, aim,…

Describes the use of a time shared computer with telephone access and a simplified electronic musical instrument in an engineering orientation presentation in high schools in South Carolina. (GH)

This kit features an introduction to the Computer Museum, a history of computer technology, and notes on how a computer works including hardware and software. A total of 20 exhibits are described with brief questions for use as a preview of the exhibit or as ideas for post-visit discussions. There are 24 classroom activities about the history and…

Described is the design and evaluation of a learning unit which includes the basics of computerized feedback control. Included are sample topics, descriptions of the achievement measures, and conclusions of the study. (CW)

Provides an overview of the programing language PROLOG and highlights its educational uses. Explains how PROLOG serves as a model of representing commonsense understandings of motion. Identifies problem areas and proposes future tasks with the program. (ML)

Describes some of the program characteristics and activities in the Technology Education Program at Bellevue High School (Washington). Discusses the programs involvement with robots, lasers, plotters, and computers. (TW)