Many attempt to address the documented achievement gap between urban and suburban students by offering special programs to enrich urban students' academic experiences and proficiencies. Such was the case in the study described by DeGennaro and Brown in which urban students participated in an after-school technology course intended to address the…

Four conference papers are reviewed in this introduction to a symposium. The first paper is by Clements and Merriman, who make a case for the reflection of Steinberg's information processing componential model of cognitive processes in the LOGO language and computational environment; present a series of experiments that attempted to tailor the…

Discusses the integration of instructional science and computer science. Topics addressed include motivation for building knowledge-based systems; instructional design issues, including cognitive models, representing student intentions, and student models and error diagnosis; representing tutoring knowledge; building a tutoring system, including…

Designed to illustrate effective course design for user-oriented materials for data processing education or training, this paper argues that conceptual knowledge should be integrated into a course only as it is needed to support task knowledge. The importance of determining the direction of a course by planning and controlling the informational…

Discusses the rationale, aims, and objectives of introductory computer courses and suggests an improved approach to designing such courses to prepare pupils for a computer-based society and to improve problem solving through structured programing. Criteria for evaluating and choosing an appropriate programing language are listed. (EAO)

Analyzes a teacher training course taught for two subsequent years in Italy in which students investigate how computers can be used as tools to improve the learning process. The course topics examined, working method adopted, and results obtained are discussed, and suggestions are made for training present and future teachers. (Author/MBR)

Presents three tenets for a computer course that blends a skills course centered on programing language and its uses and an awareness course focusing on computer literacy. The tenets suggest focusing on well-established aspects of computing, emphasizing concepts, and centering on computer applications. (MBR)

Discussion of computer programing at the secondary level focuses on automation and schema acquisition as two processes important in learning cognitive skills such as programing. Their effects on learning outcomes and transfer of training are examined, the importance of worked examples is highlighted, and instructional design principles are…

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…

Distance Educational Practice is today supported by a range of information systems (IS) design theories. Still, there are surprisingly few strong pedagogical ideas and constructs that are communicated across distance educational institutions. Instead it is often the technology, the software and the medium that is at the centre of attention as we…

Discussion of equity in computer science education focuses on issues related to gender. Topics discussed include computers and society, including employment changes and the relationship of women to society; the relationship between mathematics anxiety and computer anxiety; instructional and curriculum design; evaluation equity; and computer…

This report evaluates two arguments for the use of computers as an important tool in learning: (1) there is a need to develop the kinds of skills and knowledge that will allow youth to find good jobs in a changing, information-based national and international setting; and (2) computers are capable of improving the overall level of student…

Research in human computer interaction and instructional design can provide insights into effective methods for training microcomputer users. Suggestions include utilizing error recognition and recovery, development of mental models, simplification of documentation, and using cognitive approaches that allow transfer of knowledge to new situations.…