One option for Extension professionals wishing to use free statistical software is to use online calculators, which are useful for common, simple analyses. A second option is to use a free computing environment capable of performing statistical analyses, like R-project. R-project is free, cross-platform, powerful, and respected, but may be…

The "Titanic" caught the attention and imagination of the public when, in 1985, the sunken ship was discovered 370 miles off the coast of Newfoundland (PBS, 2012). Since that time, scientists have conducted numerous expeditions using high-resolution SONAR working in tandem with remote-operated vehicles (ROV) to collect information used…

It is common to find students believing that they have a high skill level in computer use yet this does not normally include proficiency in the use of computer packages for data presentation. This exercise develops team work in data collection, requires the production of a simple spreadsheet, and the exporting of the data from that into one or…

This paper describes the way in which a child is introduced to LOGO, which is both a programming language and an environment or a way of thinking about computers and about learning. After a brief description of the devices used by LOGO, the process of acquainting a student with the system is explained. The strong anthropomorphization of components…

Mage is a graphics program developed for visualization of three-dimensional structures of proteins and other macromolecules. An application of the Mage program is reported here for developing interactive instructional graphics files (kinemages) of much smaller scale. Examples are given illustrating features of VSEPR models, permanent dipoles,…

In this article, the authors talk about the Summer Safari program that is designed for 9-to 14-year-old students. It targets individuals with an interest in comic books and a penchant for writing stories and/or drawing. The highlight of this multidisciplinary workshop is the seamless integration of writing, fine arts, and computer technology to…

Discusses the use of Lotus 1-2-3 to create non-stop graphic displays of simulation models. Describes a simple application of this technique using the distribution resulting from repeated throws of dice. Lists other software used with this technique. Stresses the advantages of this approach in education. (CW)

Provides a course outline, describes equipment and teacher requirements, discusses student evaluation and course outcomes, and details the computer programs used in a high school course. The course is designed to teach students use of the microcomputer as a tool through hands-on experience with a variety of commercial software programs. (MBR)

Because the graphic industry demands graduates with computer skills, art students want college programs that include complex computer technologies. However, students can produce good computer art only if they have mastered traditional drawing and design skills. Discusses designing an art curriculum including both technology and traditional course…

Presents rationale for including use of productivity tool software--database management systems, spreadsheets, graphics software, word processing--in classrooms and reviews appropriate strategies for introducing students to these tools. Discussion covers adaptability of these tools to various academic disciplines and illustrates how students…

Describes how teachers learned to use a graphics program in the context of Bloom's taxonomy. Instruction occurred in four stages (rote learning of tool use; understanding and application to individual assignments; application and analysis of graphic suitability with clip art; and a culminating group project requiring analysis, synthesis, and…

The Adapted Computer Studies Program for the Disabled at Grossmont College was developed with the following objectives: (1) to provide the disabled students with essential computer skills and a support system enabling them to mainstream into the regular college classroom; (2) to provide the students with a tool that will enable them to transfer to…

Describes a computing course which emphasizes practical applications of computers in the various disciplines of the humanities and social sciences; provides details of the course and its objectives; and presents recommendations based on experiences in offering the course for several years for professors wishing to institute such a course. (MBR)

Reports on a comparison of computer instruction at Japanese and American universities and colleges. Discusses hardware, education of students, computer graphics, and cooperative efforts. States that computer hardware in Japan is of high quality, abundant, and inexpensively accessed, and in America there is a stronger, direct instructional…

In this article, we present CTRL_SPACE: a design for a software environment with companion hardware, developed to introduce preliterate children to basic computational concepts by means of an animatronic face, whose individual features serve as an analogy for a programmable object. In addition to presenting the environment, this article briefly…