Features of two versions of the BASIC programing language are compared with the features of the PASCAL programing language. The application chosen for comparison was a word processor. The conclusion was that PASCAL had the best language features, but BASIC had better systems capabilities. (MP)

John G. Kemeny, co-author of the BASIC programing language and co-developer of the Dartmouth Time-Sharing System, is interviewed. He responds to questions on computer languages, the role of computer science, future uses of computers, and mathematics instruction. (MP)

Described and critiqued are two ideas which have proven valuable in teaching programming at the introductory level, the mental model and the programming plan. (PK)

The nine articles in this collection were selected because they represent concerns central to computer science, emphasize topics of particular interest to mathematicians, and underscore the wide range of areas deeply and continually affected by computer science. The contents consist of: "Introduction" (S. V. Pollack), "The…

This document promotes computer symbolic mathematics and computer algebra as ideal instructional materials for mathematics, science, and engineering students. Further, computer algebra is viewed as appropriate for all students throughout the mathematics curriculum, by serving a vast area of mutual reinforcement and cross-motivation between…

Describes a method to teach COBOL which is based on the assumption that trying to teach the idiom of a computer language is similar to trying to teach the idiom of French. Suggests that the basic introduction to programming should be in the Modern Languages department of a school. (SED)

This paper discusses five points related to developmental research on children learning to do Logo programming: (1) systematic developmental research documenting what children are learning as they learn to program is necessary; (2) Logo is cognitively complex beyond its early steps and difficult to learn without instructional guidance; (3) the…

The authors state that the need to define functional computer literacy is likely to be an ongoing one. They discuss computer literacy skills, barriers to universal application, comprehension skills, and mastery of the operating system. (CT)

The PASCAL and BASIC programing languages are compared, with the additional features provided by PASCAL described in detail. (MP)

Reviews the use of computers in Great Britain's educational system, and discusses the development of computer science education, computer assisted instruction, standardization of software and hardware, computer awareness, computers in school administration and teacher training, and future trends for educational computing. (RAO)

In addressing the question of whether learner control of instruction can accommodate individual differences, this paper discusses some characteristics of learner control, including those conditions of learning which the student can control and those imposed by society and its institutions which are not under individual control. Studies of attempts…

The educational value of courses in computer programing must be judged by sound curriculum criteria: they should fit a logical sequence of K-12 learning objectives, expose students to future career opportunities, and teach students reasoning skills. (TE)

Discusses issues involved in the standardization of curriculum for high school computer science education, including the choice of programing language. The new Advanced Placement (AP) Program in Computer Science is also discussed, including its use of Pascal and the implications of introducing such a test at this time. (EAO)

The programing language described was designed to remedy the weaknesses of BASIC by adding structured constructs and other desirable improvements, while retaining the major features and overall spirit of BASIC. COMAL 80 (COMmon ALgorithmic language), developed in Denmark, is proposed as an introductory programing language for schools. (Five…

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…