This article distills a discussion about the goals, mechanisms, and effects of three environments which aim to support the acquisition and development of computing concepts (problem solving and programming) in pre-University and non-technical students: Alice, Greenfoot, and Scratch. The conversation started in a special session on the topic at the…

Discusses software engineering and suggests necessary elements in a software engineering curriculum. Topics addressed include the importance of theory, project-oriented education, prototyping, exploratory programing, human-computer communication, thought models, distributed systems, parallel processing, documentation, testing and quality…

Two approaches to computer use instruction are applications (use of specific application software) and problem solving (developing thinking skills oriented toward using computers to solve problems). (SK)

Discussion of the relationship between the academic computing community and the practitioner community focuses on the possible separation of software engineering as a distinct discipline from computer science. Relationships between the content of software engineering and the content of computing are examined, and implications for computer science…

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)

Courseware (computer based curriculum materials) development should follow the lessons learned by software engineers. The most important of 28 principles of software development presented here include a stress on human readability, the importance of early planning and analysis, the need for independent evaluation, and the need to be flexible.…

Describes the Portable AI Lab, a computing environment containing artificial intelligence (AI) tools, examples, and documentation for use with university AI courses. Two modules of the lab are highlighted: the automated theorem proving module and the natural language processing module, which includes augmented transition networks. (23 references)…

Traces the economic growth of embedded software in industrial products and explains that there is a shortage of engineers in this field. Proposes a different view of engineering education. (DDR)

The more than 200 papers and panel, project, and special session reports represented in this collection focus on innovations, trends, and research on the use of computers in a variety of educational settings. Of these, the full text is provided for 37 presentations and abstracts for 182. The topics discussed include: computer applications in…

The five papers in this symposium contribute to a dialog on the aims and methods of computer education, and indicate directions future research must take if necessary information is to be available to make informed decisions about the use of computers in schools. The first two papers address the question of what is required for a student to become…

Presented is a way to provide students with a review and an appreciation of the versatility of pointers in data structures by improvising with binary trees. Examples are described using the Pascal programing language. (KR)

Discussion of assessment of student performance focuses on peer assessment and the development of a hypermedia-based peer assessment tool, the MUCH system, at the University of Liverpool (England). A study conducted with undergraduate computer science students that used the MUCH system is described, and student attitudes are discussed. (Contains…

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…

The seven sections in this volume analyze ways to strengthen the educational impact of microcomputers in the schools and to maximize their potential as important learning and instruction tools. The following papers are included: (1) "Human Cognition and the Use of New Technologies" (Richard Mayer); (2) "Don't Bother Me with…

Selected country papers included in this collection focus on applications of computers in the educational systems of Australia, China, India, Japan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. Information for the city of Singapore is also provided. The reports for each country and Singapore include: (1) background information on the development of…