Implementation of educational computing in schools is dependent upon teachers' attitudes toward computers as well as their expertise. Most inservice activities focus on increasing teacher expertise, while paying little attention to teachers' attitudes towards the technology. To investigate teachers' concerns about educational computing, two…

This study used the sense-making approach of message-q/ing to examine how individuals arrive at an understanding of new technology, in this case, word processing. Subjects were 10 computer naive undergraduate students learning to use word processing as part of a course requirement. Using the WordStar program manual, subjects employed the…

This study of 18 high school teachers focuses on personal dimensions of the change process and on teacher concerns about using microcomputers in the classroom. Stages of Concern Questionnaire and interviews were used to design a staff development model consisting of inservice activities that addressed teacher's concerns about computers.…

Argues that a needs assessment model that is comprehensive and accounts for both cognitive and affective factors would be important to understanding the role of microcomputers in learning environments and describes a study that sought to design a computer literacy curriculum in response to real teachers' needs. (MBR)

This paper discusses two conflicting opinions on the role of computer education within the West German school curriculum, i.e., the opinion of the majority of the education ministers and administrators, who wish to see computer use distributed over as many school subjects as possible, and a minority of specialists in computer education who prefer…

This evaluative report describes a demonstration project undertaken by the Center for Research on Equitable Access to Technology in Education (CREATE) at the Far West Laboratory for Educational Research and Development; the project involved the design and implementation of computer literacy training of minority high school students in San…

The full proceedings are provided here of a conference of 40 teachers, educational researchers, and scientists from both the public and private sectors that centered on the future of computers in education and the research required to realize the computer's educational potential. A summary of the research issues considered and suggested means for…

The Transparent Computer, a computer simulation designed to teach programming concepts to non-programmers, provides a graphic representation of the computer and illustrates information flow within the units of the computer. The emphasis of the simulation is on the acquisition and application of concepts and comprehension of the structuring of…

This report describes the procedures used to construct and validate the Standardized Test of Computer Literacy (STCL), a criterion-referenced instrument designed to assess students' computer literacy. Following a statement of the study problem and purpose, a description of the study methodology outlines the use of a 12-step model for development…

The hierarchical model for the teaching of computer programming to children that is presented in this report comprises five content domains: (1) technical skills of controlling the machine; (2) mastery of the programming language; (3) understanding the structure of a computer program; (4) understanding the logical dynamics of the computer program;…

Designed to focus on student learning and to illustrate techniques that might be used with computers to facilitate that process, this paper discusses five types of computer use in educational settings: (1) learning ABOUT computers; (2) learning WITH computers; (3) learning FROM computers; (4) learning ABOUT THINKING with computers; and (5)…

The interactions between computer use and access by adolescents and their computer-related opinions and values are presented in the framework of a "manifold model" of computer interactions. This model emphasizes the complexity and multidimensional nature of the system of variables in which such interaction is embedded. For this study,…

This paper describes the Manifold Access Model, which has been developed for the simultaneous representation and analysis of the interrelationships between five variable clusters: (1) computer access; (2) personal and social attitudes and values with respect to computer use; (3) self-assessed competence and confidence with respect to computer use;…

The processes used by the Defense Language Institute (DLI) Foreign Language Center to develop proficiency-based nonresident courses in Czech, Polish, and Russian for language maintenance is described. Based on needs assessment and analysis of Department of Defense endusers, DLI provided the concept and design for the Proficiency Improvement…