Vista College has always placed high priority on making its classes available to disabled students. When public demand mandated instruction in microcomputers, a program was designed to be accessible to handicapped and able-bodied individuals. Describes how this program was achieved and the success of the college's computer learning center. (JN)

Local area networks (hardware/software devices linking computers together for economy, instructional control of classrooms, and data management, and communications) have great potential for schools. Nature of these networks, district and campus trends, and guidelines for schools are discussed. (JN)

Explores recent technological advances and their effects on the education of the handicapped. Indicates that scientific breakthroughs never intended as aids to the handicapped have been adapted to remove their limitations and that some inventions designed to improve the quality of life for most people offer disadvantages for handicapped persons.…

Systems that receive signals from weather satellites are now available to educational institutions at affordable prices. An engineer who designed one of these systems specifically for education describes how they are being used for instruction in growing numbers of schools worldwide. (JN)

Describes how a 30,000 student institution of higher learning is installing a campus-wide telecommunications system supporting voice, data, and video applications. Objectives of the telecommunications program and guidelines used in its development are outlined. (JN)

Discusses communications technologies now being refined for nationwide introduction to allow educational institutions to share their database resources at greatly accelerated speeds and with increasing ease. (JN)

Explores past uses of speech synthesis and outlines educational uses for the future, describing new features that allow considerable control of speech output. Indicates that because of the speech capabilities, nonreaders may no longer be denied access to the computer due to limited reading skills. (JN)

Highlights a computer programming contest for high school students held at Old Dominion University. The contest introduced, accented, and accelerated the practical application of computers for education. In addition, the competition was intended to recognize students, teachers, and schools for the best computer programming. Highlights of the…

Describes Iowa State University's Computation Center. Center's responsibilities include computer science research and providing computing services to the university. System Industries' Trade and Exchange program (permitting used Digital Equipment Corporation disk drives to be exchanged for new SI equipment at substantial cost savings) was used to…

St. Mary's College (Maryland) has computerized its entire 167-acre campus for students, faculty, and the administration. The uses of these computers for instructional, administrative, and research purposes at the college are described. Future uses of these computers are also considered. (JN)

Because it was financially impossible to put a microcomputer center at each of nine Chapter I-funded elementary schools in the Modesto (California) City Schools, a remodeled school bus was converted into a mobile computing center. Objectives of the "Compubus" program and evaluation of the first year are discussed. (JN)

In August 1984, each member of the entering freshman class at Clarkson University received a Zenith Data Systems Z-100 PC desktop computer. Although there have been some problems (such as losing homework due to one power failure), results of a student survey indicate overall positive attitudes toward the experience. (JN)

Recent alliances between communication providers and computer manufacturers will lead to new technological combinations that will deliver visually-based ideas and information to a worldwide audience. Urges that those in charge of future video programs to consider their effects on children's language skills, thinking patterns, and intellectual…

Two college of education experts present a system which trains university students to administer and interpret standardized tests such as the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R), thus easing time demands upon their instructors. (JN)

Reports results of a 1982/83 nationwide survey of administrators and teachers to determine the level of microcomputer use in elementary and secondary schools. Indicates that microcomputer availability and planned expenditures are increasing and that two-thirds of the nation's schools have at least one microcomputer in their facilities. (JN)