Discusses the results of an ongoing research study to measure college students' microcomputer literacy before taking a microcomputer course. A brief review of the literature on computer literacy is provided, a comparative analysis of results is given, and a microcomputer literacy index is described that measures literacy and ranks students.…

Undergraduates in a computer literacy class were pretested on analogical reasoning skills. One section then received LOGO programing instruction, and the other section received nonprograming instruction on computer uses in education. Posttest results indicated that analogical reasoning skills development is a consequence of LOGO programing and…

Discusses results of a survey of undergraduate students that investigated their current knowledge of computers and the level of knowledge they would like to have. Attitudes of students who had prior computer courses or who owned a computer were found to be more positive than those of students who did not. (27 references) (LRW)

A test of the effectiveness of the direct instruction model as an instructional method was conducted in Sydney (Australia) by administering pre- and post-tests to fifth and sixth year students taught computer literacy and computer programming skills in specially designed 5-week courses. Nine schools, some independent and some…

The North Carolina State Board of Education, as part of the Quality Assurance Program, established a computer proficiency requirement for students in grade eight for the 1996-97 school year and beyond in order to receive a North Carolina high school diploma. The first opportunity to meet the requirement is during the eighth grade. Passing the…

The purpose of this study was to investigate the computer backgrounds of students enrolled in a teacher credential program. Specifically, this study attempted to determine if a person's computer background had any influence on attitude towards computer use, willingness to pursue further formal instruction in computer education, interest in using…

This study examined the effects of 3 instructional methods--computer education, creative problem solving, and traditional gifted curriculum--on development of problem-solving skills of gifted students aged 8 to 12. Posttest scores of the computer education unit were significantly higher than scores for the computer literacy and problem-solving…

Describes a survey conducted for the Institute for Certification of Computer Professionals (ICCP) that examined qualifications and certifications held by information technology (i.e., computer science, information science, information systems, and computer literacy) faculty at two-year and four-year colleges. Continuing education requirements are…

This paper describes a multimedia workshop at Worcester State College (Massachusetts) organized by computer science students to give their older classmates the opportunity to gain "hands on" experience with multimedia computers. A questionnaire on the effectiveness of multimedia systems was completed by 35 older students, whose average…

Describes a study of undergraduate students that examined the relationship between selection of college computer courses and self-perceived proficiency in using computers, computer causal attributions, and selected computer attitudes. Gender issues are addressed, correlations between variables are examined, and implications for educators are…

This pretest/posttest study measured the change in computer literacy and attitudes toward computers among 36 preservice teachers enrolled in an introductory computer training course that was focused on developing programing skills. Independent variables included age, gender, locus of control, final grade in the course, and prior experience in word…

Many university business schools have an instructor-led course introducing computer software application packages. This course is often required for all undergraduates and is a prerequisite to other courses, such as accounting, finance, marketing, and operations management. Knowledge and skills gained in this course should enable students not only…

This study evaluated the computer skills and learning expectations of students in an introductory course at a regional university in the southeastern United States. A survey was administered to 595 students enrolled in sections of the Introduction to Computer Information Systems (CIS) course. The survey instrument charted such things as major and…