Summarizes the results of six studies that examined differences between courses in computer programming and computer literacy, and the relationships between achievement in these courses, student personality traits, cognitive styles, and gender. Suggestions for future research are made. (7 references) (CLB)

Describes a study conducted with 14 preschoolers to determine (1) whether all children are competent programers functioning adequately in a LOGO environment and (2) if individual differences in learning do exist, whether they can be attributed to children's mathematical aptitude, creativity, cognitive style, and computer or computer-related…

Conservation ability, spatial motor ability, age, and gender were used as predictive variables in a study of 26 kindergarten children's computer programming ability. A preliminary pilot study with first graders had suggested that programming success was related to the ability to reverse thought processes. In both studies, children were taught to…

This study addresses three questions: (1) whether sex is related to ability and interest in computers; (2) whether a relationship exists between the presence of a computer in the home and a child's ability and interest in computing; and (3) the combination of factors that account for students' perceptions of success in developing programming…

Compares two surveys--one of school administrators and one of computer experts--on perceptions of priorities among computer competencies for school administrators. Analysis includes importance of computer literacy; programing, application, hardware/software, and resource acquisition skills; and awareness of training needs. Experts were found to be…

The 88 papers included in this publication are organized into seven groupings used as themes in the conference, "Computing Knows No Borders." The topics are: Administration (12 papers); Computer Studies (13 papers); Educational Tools (10 papers); Logo (7 papers); Software (9 papers); Special Education (8 papers); and Teaching (16…

This study analyzed the enrollment of two computer classes at a public high school in northern Indiana to see if there was any computer inequity. The two classes examined--an introduction to computers course and a computer programming course--were studied over a period of four years. The sample consisted of 388 students in four years of the…

An evaluation was conducted of an Illinois Department of Curriculum and Instruction inservice course on microcomputer utilization. Designed to provide educators with preliminary knowledge and experience pertaining to educational uses of microcomputers, the course focused on hardware, software, philosophy, methodology, utilization modes and…

Discusses the results of an ongoing research study to measure college students' microcomputer literacy before taking a microcomputer course. A brief review of the literature on computer literacy is provided, a comparative analysis of results is given, and a microcomputer literacy index is described that measures literacy and ranks students.…

Results from the 1979 Minnesota Computer Literacy Assessment show that eighth- and eleventh-grade females perform better than males in some specific areas of programing, i.e., those that involve problem analysis and algorithmic application where the problems are expressed verbally rather than mathematically. (Author/LRW)

Summer Tech '83 was a joint venture of the College of Education of Ohio State University and the Columbus Ohio Public Schools to provide instruction on the use of microcomputers to citizens of the Columbus metropolitan area. For 4 weeks 53 different 10-hour classes were offered in 7 broad areas: introductory computer literacy, programing, word…

The Transparent Computer simulation was developed to address the educational system's need to provide the basic skills and knowledge that are required to understand computers and interact with them. Intended to be integrated in the computer literacy program in elementary and junior high schools, the Transparent Computer is an example of an…

The difficulties that younger students experience in understanding concepts related to the use of variables in computer programming are examined through descriptions of two studies: (1) detailed case studies of six highly intelligent children--three fourth graders and three sixth graders--who learned to program in BASIC during 60 hours of…

Compares the expert, spiral, and reading approaches to instructional strategies for introductory computer programming courses. Based on ACT (Adaptive Control of Thought) theory and relevant research, the differences between declarative and procedural instruction are identified, and six tactics used to design courses and evaluate strategies are…

The almost 200 papers and panel, project, and special session reports represented in this collection focus on innovations, trends, evaluations, and research in the use of computers in a variety of educational settings. Of these, the full text is provided for 52 presentations and abstracts for 138. The topics discussed include: use of computers at…