"The Golden Age of Design may finally be upon us!" or so reported the New York Times in September of 2014. On the one hand everyday personal information appliances emphasized beauty and function. Apple™ took a lead by marketing the "feeling" of the iPod's design. The business world took notice and the cachet of designers soared…

Sprego is programming with spreadsheet functions. The present paper provides introductory Sprego examples which have so far only been available in Hungarian. Spreadsheet environments offer both a programming tool which best serves beginner and end-user programmers' interest, and an approach which lightens the burden of coding and language details.…

The Personalised System of Instruction is a form of mastery learning which, though it has been proven to be educationally effective, has never seriously challenged the dominant lecture-tutorial teaching method in higher education and has largely fallen into disuse. An information and communications technology assisted version of the Personalised…

Discusses a research project that uses artificial intelligence techniques to help teach programing. Describes principles and implementation of the LISP Intelligent Tutoring System (LISPITS). Explains how the artificial intelligence technique was developed and possible future research. (MVL)

Considers three questions regarding computer science courses: (1) Can performance be predicted?; (2) Does a solid mathematical background provide the student with an advantage?; and (3) Is gender a factor in performance or aptitude? Reports a strong math background was related to achievement in a beginning course while gender was not related. (MVL)

Two questions are examined: (1) What are the features that make computer games so captivating; and (2) How can these features be used to make learning, especially learning with computers, interesting? (MP)

The nature of computer instruction that emphasizes student programing in elementary school settings is detailed. Several reasons for the approach taken are given and constraints that those who want to start elementary computer programs must deal with are noted. The receptiveness of girls to computers in elementary grades is noted. (MP)

An initial project that uses a computer-controlled, laser-read videodisc as a tool in ballet instruction at the University of Iowa is described. (MP)

It is noted computer literacy is being placed within school curricula even when the general movement in education seems to be back to basics. The situation in Foothills Elementary School in Monterey, California is detailed. Economics is seen as the main issue that limits immediate expansion of computers in schools. (MP)

Experiences of the Instructional Services staff of the Minnesota Educational Computing Consortium (MECC) are detailed. To meet the massive demand for computer training, the staff has balanced the three approaches of offering regularly scheduled events, responding to individual requests, and urging institutions to set up their own follow-up…

An elementary school project using computers to enhance the teaching of basics in mathematics, language arts, and early learning is described. (MP)

Topics discussed include: (1) what is a simulation; (2) why simulate; (3) when to use simulations; (4) planning for instruction; (5) cautions and limitations; and (6) future developments. Suggests that computer simulation in science is both entertaining and motivating. (MP)

Discusses Norway's effort to determine what steps should be taken following its National Program for Computers in Education. Reports that this was the first time an international organization was chosen to make educational recommendations to a government. Lists characteristics of the Norwegian National Program and summarizes recommendations of the…

Describes a system which emulates a face-to-face classroom where groups of students can participate online using standard low cost personal computer hardware at the student's location. Provides an overview, rationale, assumptions, design problems, and limitations of the program. Discusses alternative uses and evaluation of the technique. (MVL)