Turtle graphics is a popular vehicle for introducing children to computer programming. Children combine simple graphic commands to get a display screen cursor (called a turtle) to draw designs on the screen. The purpose of this study was to examine young children's abilities to function in a simple computer programming environment. Four- and…

A checklist for evaluating courseware is presented to help American Council of Evaluation (ACE) review teams determine whether a software package is suitable for use with adult learners. Courseware, which is software used in instructional programming, may include various mechanical devices (e.g., discs, tapes, computer programs), as well as…

The 53 papers in these proceedings focus on the use of computer-based learning. Individual papers are organized by special interest group and presented under 12 headings: (1) Computer-Based Training (11 entries); (2) Elementary, Secondary, Junior College (1 entry); (3) Educators of the Handicapped (3 entries); (4) Health Education (6 entries); (5)…

Design theory should identify candidate designers, specify design behavior to be measured, and discriminate between behavior of designers and nondesigners. A study evaluated different formats of computerized structural display and data entry to measure design behavior. A program using graph theory as an internal data structure in the computer and…

The PLATO IV computer-based educational system contains its own communications hardware and software for operating plasma-panel graphics terminals. Key echoing is performed by the central processing unit: every key pressed at a terminal passes through the entire system before anything appears on the terminal's screen. Each terminal is guaranteed…

A series of five reports is presented which describes the activities carried out by the Pennsylvania State University group engaged in research in computer-assisted instruction (CAI) in vocational-technical education. The reports cover the period January 1968-June 1968 and deal with: 1) prior knowledge and individualized instruction; 2) numerical…

Six areas of computer use in undergraduate education, particularly in the fields of mathematics and physics, are discussed in these proceedings. The areas included are: the computational mode; computer graphics; the simulation mode; analog computing; computer-assisted instruction; and the current politics and management of college level computer…

Discusses three new advances in the use of optical disc technology in education. Describes the storage formats and capabilities of the videodisc, the compact disc, and the optical write-once disc. Contrasts the three technologies in terms of their production requirements, the hardware involved, and some projected applications in education. (TW)

Describes an activity intended to incorporate investigation into learning of mathematics. The example cited involved having fourth graders study perimeter and area of rectangles using Logo. The author suggests that what began as a simple exercise in investigating geometric concepts became an exciting exploration that touched on many topics. (PK)

Reviews seven instructional software packages covering a variety of topics. Includes: "Science Square-Off"; "The Desert"; "Science Courseware: Physical Science"; "Odell Lake"; "Safety First"; "An Experience in Artificial Intelligence"; and "Master Mapper." (TW)

Provides an introduction to the mathematics and art of the complex plane. Includes two computer programs written in GW BASIC to facilitate a reader's initial investigation. Identifies additional software resources. Stresses the appeal to future scientists, mathematicians, and artists. (CW)

Illustrates the exploration of random and chance events with a microcomputer. Demonstrates this principle using turtle graphics, coin flips, and die rolls in a student exercise involving distance and direction on a number line. Includes the necessary LOGO programming statements to use this method. (CW)

Describes the use of a microcomputer program which was written to analyze batch reactor data by the integral method. Discusses how the program is structured and used by students in engineering kinetics. An example problem is included along with the computer's solution. (TW)

Discusses the impact of Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) on traditional engineering teaching philosophy and methodology. Describes a new instructional approach based on CAE. Includes selected examples of problem situations which can be simulated through the use of CAE. (TW)

Outlines the development of Plato, a unified computer system linking terminals to a central educational network; critically reviews Plato's new Homelink system which provides access to 273 games and lessons; and discusses its present capabilities and possible future improvements to make Homelink attractive to home users interested in educational…