Provides an overview of the Rexx programing language and presents a sample utility program to illustrate the advantages of the Rexx language as an alternative to Basic. Eight references are listed. (MES)

Discusses the "computerphobia" phenomenon, separating the valid reasons for some individual's anxiety about computers from their irrational fears. Among the factors examined are fear of breaking the computer, use of unclear documentation, lack of time for learning how to use the computer, and lack of computer knowledge. (JN)

The chairperson of the mathematics department of a school that has one of the oldest mandatory computer classes in the country advises emphasizing applications, not programing, in computer classes. (MLF)

The Alcohol Metabolism Program, a computer program used to compute peak blood alcohol levels, is expanded upon to include a cover page, brief introduction, and techniques for generalizing the program to calculate peak levels for any number of drinks. (DF)

A list of rules and sample items for a computer fair contest for grades 3 to 12 is given. (MK)

Use of a translator and an interrupt handler to generate Escape (ESC) sequences without losing characters is discussed. The system (focusing on use of WordStar with a Zenith/Heath Z-19/H-19) allows assignment to single keys entire sequences of editor instructions and small routines. Program listings are included. (JN)

Highlights a computer programming contest for high school students held at Old Dominion University. The contest introduced, accented, and accelerated the practical application of computers for education. In addition, the competition was intended to recognize students, teachers, and schools for the best computer programming. Highlights of the…

Describes the IBM research library's computer programing for assuring compliance with U.S. Copyright Law. Developed for ease of use by library staff and to be comprehensible to users, the program indicates payment of royalties, obtainment of copy permission, special publisher arrangements, or fair use application for any photocopy requested. (RAA)

Presents a survey of user needs for microcomputer software in elementary and secondary schools. Approaches to software development are highlighted and the future of microcomputers is discussed. (RAO)

Ideas for computer use are presented. A challenge problem, sources of information, and interesting facts are included. (MNS)

Whimsically adopting the first-person viewpoint of a robot, this article describes a four-phase program integrating robotics into the school curriculum in Coffeyville, Kansas: (1) Awareness, (2) Simple Programming, (3) Advanced Programming, and (4) Application of Robotics in Society. (TE)

Hull High School in suburban Boston (Massachusetts) is rated as one of the top 10 secondary schools in the country offering a computer education program. The same computers used by the students are shared by school officials for administrative tasks. (Author/MLF)

The desirability of using computer scheduling to allocate students into the activities (lectures, tutorials, practical classes) for courses requested and the possibility of integrating the scheduling into the enrollment process is explored. Although computer scheduling is now widely used in American universities, at Australian universities the…

Discusses the nature of programing languages, considering the features of BASIC, LOGO, PASCAL, COBOL, FORTH, APL, and LISP. Also discusses machine/assembly codes, the operation of a compiler, and trends in the evolution of programing languages (including interest in notational systems called object-oriented languages). (JN)

A computer operating system spans multiple layers of complexity, from commands entered at a keyboard to the details of electronic switching. In addition, the system is organized as a hierarchy of abstractions. Various parts of such a system and system dynamics (using the Unix operating system as an example) are described. (JN)