This book brings together a collection of work from around the world in order to consider effective STEM, robotics, mobile apps education from a range of perspectives. It presents valuable perspectives--both practical and theoretical--that enrich the current STEM, robotics, mobile apps education agenda. As such, the book makes a substantial…

Mobile devices have become a popular form of education technology, but little attention has been paid to the use of their sensors for data collection and analysis. This article describes some of the benefits of using mobile devices this way and presents five challenges to help students overcome common misconceptions about force and motion. The…

Discusses how four standard business software packages can be made to work together as a means of storing herbarium specimen label data and printing new labels. The packages include dBASE III, Quickcode, SuperKey, and PC-Write. Reasons for selecting these packages are considered. (JN)

Shows how electronic spreadsheets can be used in science classrooms for such tasks as ordering and keeping track of supplies and for organizing experiments. Sample printouts of records prepared by use of the spreadsheets are included. (JN)

Describes the innovative uses of Apple microcomputers in elementary and secondary school classrooms. They include: (1) helping students understand geometric relationships using LOGO; (2) computer-based science workstations; (3) using word processing; and (4) other projects. (JN)

Outlines strategies adopted in producing a software package called SCRIBE and procedures through which tests can be produced, student responses marked, and reports generated. A brief summary of the reactions of teachers to the package is also included. (JN)

Discusses an easy way of interfacing physics experiments to a microcomputer, providing information on the "analog input port" of a BBC microcomputer. Also describes a capacitor discharge experiment with suggestions for several student activities such as investigating decay curve shapes. Program listing is available from author. (DH)

Describes: (1) spreadheet programs (including VisiCalc) for experiments; (2) event-driven data acquisition (using ADALAB with an Acculab Infrared Spectometer); (3) microcomputer-controlled cyclic voltammetry; (4) inexpensive computerized experiments; (5) the "KC? Discoverer" program; and (6) MOLDOT (space-filling perspective diagrams of…

Because a teacher and a student were seated on either end of a log (facing each other), there was direct, eye-to-eye, one-on-one communication. If properly used, computers can take the place of the log, establishing the eye-to-eye, one-on-one, two-way communication. Advantages occur because computers are interactive, individualized, modular, and…

Relates the experiences of a naive computer-using teacher attempting to integrate the microcomputer into a course unit on human anatomy. Based on these experiences, advice is offered to others who are incorporating computers into their courses for the first time. (JN)

Discusses (1) instructional uses of VisiCalc; (2) use of a spreadsheet to calculate the activity coefficients of lead in amalgams from measurements of the potentials of cells without liquid junction; and (3) the computerized solution (analogous to a titration) of simultaneous equations for determining equilibrium pH of a raindrop. (JN)

Describes (1) interfacing the Commodore VIC-20 using joystick game ports; (2) a chromatographic integrator for the TRS-80; (3) upgrading input/output capabilities of the TRS-80 color microcomputer; (4) IBM PC interfaced to a Perkin-Elmer DSC-1 differential scanning calorimeter; and (5) an undergraduate experiment in which students design a…

Microcomputers can record laboratory measurements which human laboratory partners can never collect. Simple, harder, and general-purpose interfaces are discussed, with suggestions for several experiments involving an exercise bike, acceleration, and pendulums. Additional applications with pH meters, spectrophotometers, and chromatographs are also…

Describes use of microcomputer-driven electronic digitizers (such as graphics tablets) in the hypsometric (area-altitude) analysis of topographical maps. Focuses on their use in developing input data for a microcomputer program that calculates the statistical moments of the hypsometric integral and its density function. (BC)

Understanding the fundamentals of data acquisition and control is an important part of learning about the use of small computers in chemistry. Data acquisition and control principles can be taught at moderate equipment cost using micrcomputer game ports. Therefore, the components of the Apple II microcomputer game port are described. (JN)