This essay discusses the human, social, and political problems associated with the introduction of new information technologies and computer education into existing schools and indicates 10 choices which face educational policy-makers. Teacher training, availability of software, necessary hardware, the role of higher education, and national policy…

Suggests computer education activities that can be developed with a single computer, leadership of one staff member, plus one paraprofessional and a core group of interested students. Argues that computer literacy is a societal necessity and a reasonable possibility for even small institutions with limited budgets. (DMM)

Presents a rationale for changing from the current emphasis of precollege computer courses on BASIC programming skills to a focus on teaching applications software skills. Reviews research regarding the quality of computer literacy courses. Discusses parallel cognitive and affective consequences of programming and applications software. Promotes…

Judah Schwartz, co-director of the newly National Institute of Education-funded Educational Technology Center (which will investigate ways various technologies can have positive effects on K-12 mathematics, science, and computer science), offers his views on various topics and issues related to computer science education. (JN)

The most common approach to computer education is the computer literacy model which suggests that students need some basic familiarity with computers to compete in the job market or to become informed citizens. Discusses why this model for computer education should be rejected by professional educators. (JN)

Reviews the range of contextual factors, possible content orientations, training models (from one-day overviews to courses offering three college credits), and follow-up mechanisms that must be considered by administrators who have committed their districts to providing inservice programs to develop teachers' computer literacy. (PGD)

If teachers are to use computers in the classroom or train students to use computers, they must first be trained themselves. This training should provide knowledge of educational computer applications, computer terms and operations, courseware evaluation techniques, and elementary programing skills. An ongoing staff development program should also…

Physicians wishing to become computer literate face two immediate problems. First, there is no readily available nor universally accepted statement of what such literacy should entail, and second, such pedagogic mechanisms as exist are not widely available. This paper addresses both problems. (SSH)

The gap between male and female participation in elective mathematics is now being replicated in computer classes. School districts implementing computer education programs should take action to ensure sex equity. (MLF)

The nature of computer instruction that emphasizes student programing in elementary school settings is detailed. Several reasons for the approach taken are given and constraints that those who want to start elementary computer programs must deal with are noted. The receptiveness of girls to computers in elementary grades is noted. (MP)

Contemporary media and communication technology are expanding educational possibilities and probably will alter fundamentally the structure of educational institutions. As yet, however, only the surface has been scratched in applying media and technology to education. Moreover, early experiments, such as closed circuit television, either are not…

Views of Arthur Luehrmann, an individual who has become known as one of the most vociferous advocates of computer literacy in educational computing, are presented. Spending four out of five days in a computer literacy course on computing and one out of five on awareness issues is advocated. (MP)

The first of the six sections in this description of the national educational system in Finland discusses the system's goals, its structure and size, the curriculum in the comprehensive and upper secondary schools, and studies in higher education and at the post-graduate level. The second section describes the organization and funding of…

Computers present a problem for mathematics teachers that may be solved through teacher education programs. Classroom teachers should be competent in programing languages, exploring software, and understanding the emphasis of computers in the mathematics curriculum. (DF)

Computer literacy education has become popular in today's society. This article suggests that computer literacy is unimportant and discusses the enormous appeal of computer literacy despite its unimportance. This phenomenon is shown as an ideological campaign rather than as education. (DF)