Describes studies conducted at a French university to evaluate microcomputer software used in computer assisted instruction. Results of questionnaires completed by a sample of 150 students in beginning computing courses are analyzed to determine how such courseware can be improved, and evaluation versus validation is discussed. (LRW)

This study investigated whether computer science educational background makes secondary students more adept at using word processing capabilities, and compared computer science and non-computer science students' writing improvement with word processing use. Computer science students used more sophisticated program features but student writing did…

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.…

This experiment examined the relationship between computer programming and the following factors: mathematical ability, locus of control, introversion/extraversion, anxiety, and task time allocation. The programming performance of 14 male and 18 female students in a college-level introductory computer science course was measured by means of a math…

Reports results of a study which examined students' assessment of societal influences on their participation in computing. Gender differences in attitudes toward three factors are discussed: computing as male dominated, influence of significant others, and negative attitudes associated with computing and career aspirations. Students, especially…

Discussed are the results of a questionnaire which concerned students' course choices and why students chose not to study computing. The lack of human orientation, mathematical ability, and lack of computer contact in secondary schools are identified. (KR)