A light box is an apparatus designed to show the logical states of the User Port Pins of a PET microcomputer. Details of this aspect of computer studies are provided to introduce students to the possibilities of microprocessor control. Details of PET User Port interface and sample programs are included. (Author/JN)

PILOT is the generic name of a programing language suited for authoring/executing CAI educational programing. The strengths/weaknesses of TRS-80 MicroPilot (formerly Pilot Plus) and differences between Micropilot and Basic and CAI courseware authoring languages are discussed. Major strength is efficiency for educational/interactive programing with…

An experiment was conducted to study how children, aged 10-15 years, learn concepts relevant to computer programing and how they learn modern programing languages. The implicit educational goal was to teach thinking strategies through the medium of programing concepts and their applications. The computer languages Simper and Logo were chosen…

Discusses five approaches used by industry/colleges to provide local area network (LAN) capabilities in the analytical laboratory: (1) mixed baseband bus network coupled to a star net; (2) broadband bus network; (3) ring network; (4) star network coupled to broadband net; and (5) simple multiprocessor center. Part I (September issue) focused on…

The nature of many computerized community bulletin boards is described. A system called Communitree is profiled as a version with many distinct advantages over generic bulletin board systems. It is felt that their strong points are carefully orchestrated details, and their weak points are intelligent compromises. (MP)

Discusses various issues related to training individuals to use microcomputers, a neglected aspect of the personal computer industry. Several methods used to solve training problems and training software are considered. (JN)

Describes various instructional materials designed to teach computer programing. These materials (primarily for the Apple II microcomputer) include books, teaching packages, videotapes, audiocassette tapes, and computer media (including programs loaded from cassettes and disks). Information on classroom packages, writing software, and selecting an…

Presents test cases to adequately test the "triangle program" described in part 1 (appearing in volume 42 of this journal). Discusses test case design and design techniques, differentiating between testing (showing that errors present) and debugging (finding where/what errors are and correcting them). Suggests testing be incorporated into…

Describes the nature of modern general-purpose computer systems, including hardware, semiconductor electronics, microprocessors, computer architecture, input output technology, and system control programs. Seven suggested readings are cited. (FM)

In anticipation of the educational needs of the late 1980s in science, mathematics, and engineering education, the National Science Foundation has supported a variety of projects that can serve as examples and models of the uses of computing in science education. These projects fall into three categories, focusing on the computer as a tool of…

Multivariable queries can be processed in the data base management system INGRES. The general procedure is to decompose the query into a sequence of one-variable queries using two processes. One process is reduction which requires breaking off components of the query which are joined to it by a single variable. The other process,…

A computer course for parents, developing/using a histogram program, and writing form letters using Atari PILOT (Program listing included) are suggested. Includes an article ("Data Basing") by Al Kramer and Fritzi Lareau suggesting that students be provided with activities to create, use, maintain computerized databases. (JN)

Describes a computer program to help young children learn about the alphabet and about the location of alphabet keys on computer keyboards. Includes a complete program listing. (Author/JN)

Ways to use personal computers to simplify the task of identifying and describing the phonology, morphology, and syntax of a language are outlined. The actual programing is viewed as simple once a phonetic alphabet is defined and symbols to indicate parts of speech are chosen. (MP)

This second of two parts (part one presented in the November-December issue) continues a discussion of a BASIC program on computer arrays. Individual lines for organizing and retrieving data from the computer's memory are discussed. (JN)