A study explored the social uses of computer-mediated communication, identifying primary users and amounts of time spent using two related systems. Interviews and observations of computer users suggest that a large, socially active computing subculture is based at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst campus. It was hypothesized that members of…

The changes that personal computers might bring to student life are examined by analyzing a long-term time-allocation study and individual interviews. The displacement of time from other activities, the purposes of computer use, and the impact of students' social arrangements on computer use are discussed. (Author/MLW)

Surveys of faculty and students at Drexel University were conducted to assess the effects of the university's decision in late 1982 to require all incoming freshmen to buy computers. A May 1983 survey determined faculty experiences with computers, their teaching preferences, and educational backgrounds. Based on responses from 328 faculty (93%),…

Microcomputing facilities at Drexel University are described. In 1983 the university instituted a policy requiring all students to have personal access to a microcomputer. Students keep their computers in their dorm rooms or off-campus living quarters. To provide access to students while they are on campus, clusters of university-owned machines…

The impact of growing numbers of personal computers at Dartmouth College was assessed. During one academic year (1984- 1985), the number of personal computers (mostly Macintoshes) grew from less than 50 to almost 2,000. The assessment focused on three areas: purchase and admissions data, student life, and the curriculum. Tentative findings…

This paper describes the results of a study of the microcomputer use patterns reflected by more than 13,000 users' records from the microcomputer laboratory at Western Kentucky University for 1983 to 1986. The data analyzed focused on: (1) numbers of users; (2) frequent user groups; (3) sex differences; (4) prime time usage; (5) the use of…

At the University of Victoria (British Columbia), computer mediated communications have been used since 1988 in the delivery of distance education in the Certificate Program in Computer Based Information Systems. From 1988 to 1990, a university mainframe computer was used as the host for communications, but since 1990, the host has been a personal…

Preservice students in the College of Education at Wayne State University (Michigan) are expected to complete at least one semester using microcomputers and courseware that they can use to support their teaching of elementary school and secondary school pupils in metropolitan Detroit. A survey form was developed to collect information about the…