Describes the development of the SNOBOL4 programing language and discusses its use in libraries for text processing applications. Other languages that are oriented toward text processing are discussed, including SPITBOL and ICON; programing skills necessary to use SNOBOL4 are discussed; and a vendor for SNOBOL4 products is recommended. (15…

The paper describes concepts and principles resulting in successful applications of computer technology to the needs of the disabled. The first part describes what a microcomputer is and is not, emphasizing the microcomputer as a machine that simply carries out instructions, the role of programming, and the use of prepared application programs.…

This paper explores three components of academic computing--programming, productivity tools, and computer-based education--by reviewing the past, evaluating the present, and considering the future possibilities of the field. It is suggested that the future growth of academic computing depends upon the resolution of a number of issues: (1)…

Suggests factors to be considered in planning for the purchase of a microcomputer, including budgets, benefits, costs, and decisions. Major uses of a personal computer are described--word processing, financial analysis, file and database management, programming and computer literacy, education, entertainment, and thrill of high technology. (EJS)

Joseph Weizenbaum (author of the computer program ELIZA) discusses his views about educational computing, pointing out why he is not convinced that children below the tenth grade benefit from the introduction of computers into the curriculum, and why larger educational issues must be addressed. (JN)

Outlines the important factors to be considered in selecting a database management system for use with a microcomputer and presents a series of guidelines for developing a database. General procedures, report generation, data manipulation, information storage, word processing, data entry, database indexes, and relational databases are among the…

In response to the increasing use of computers in school by young children, this paper provides definitions of concepts and discussions of topics related to computers and young children. The first section takes up the issue of computer literacy, describing various uses of the term and discussing the controversy concerning teaching computer…

Logo creator Seymour Papert discusses ways Logo can be improved to accommodate different learning styles and strengthen word processing and list processing capabilities. In an interview, Papert discusses computers' influences on learning, Logo's underlying concepts, teacher use of Logo, Logo's discovery learning approach, and development of Logo…

Many computerized educational activities are controlled by the student as well as by the hardware or software being used. When the student can make decisions that will affect the responses of the computer, the computer becomes a tool for exploration and is not merely a vehicle for delivering instruction. Some of the activities that involve student…

This symposium includes the following papers: "Software for the Classroom: Issues in the Design of Effective Software Tools" (D. Midian Kurland); "Computers for Composing" (Janet H. Kane); "LOGO Programming and Problem Solving" (Roy D. Pea); "The Computer as Sandcastle" (Jeanne Bamberger); "Learning…

This document consists primarily of a compilation of nine articles, on the use of microcomputers in language arts instruction, that have been extracted from 1983-1985 issues of the journal "The Computing Teacher". Also included are various software reviews from the same period. The articles include: "Keyboarding Skills: Elementary,…

Describes courses in microcomputer literacy for college students that evolved from one general course to modular courses including word processing, spreadsheets, and programing. A proposed plan for integrating microcomputers across a variety of curriculums is then discussed, and sample curriculums are shown. (LRW)

Review of software designed to help students find and use reference materials covers use of databases and word processing programs to record and organize notes for student research papers and online databases to acquire research materials. Learning activities for teaching how to use these resources include program for computer dictionary. (MBR)

This report reviews student usage of microcomputers in schools and the effects of microcomputer use on their academic achievement. Data was collected using: (1) a national survey from the 1989 international "CompEd" survey of the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement; (2) a 1989 survey of teacher attitudes…

The 24 papers in these proceedings describe computer technology and its many applications to the educational process. Topics discussed include computer systems in the classroom of the future; how to evaluate a school's computer program; computer use in special education; computer science and the liberal arts; keyboarding issues; making the…