The first of three parts of this booklet, which assumes no previous knowledge of computers or programming, explains what computers are and briefly describes the components of a computer system. The second section examines the different ways in which the computer can be used in higher education, including its use: (1) as a "super calculator"; (2)…

Refutes Seymour Papert's premises because they: (1) maintain that computer criticism goes through developmental stages; (2) overlook the fact that the computer's newness in education affects the way people speak of computers; and (3) deny the necessity that teaching LOGO, like other pedagogies, should be accountable to experimental research. (PS)

Agrees with Seymour Papert that conventional experimentation has shortcomings when used to study effects of educational programs. Cites three research methods that, in combination, can compensate for the shortcomings of both conventional research and the computer criticism suggested by Papert. (PS)

Discusses advantages and disadvantages of two types of research methodologies used to study the effect of LOGO in classroom settings: the treatment methodology and computer criticism. Stresses the importance of testable consequences. (PS)

Describes laboratory-oriented software programs that are short, time-saving, eliminate computational errors, and not found in public domain courseware. Program availability for IBM and Apple microcomputers is included. (RT)

Describes computer software for use with various age groups. Topics include activities involving temperature, simulations, earth science, the circulatory system, human body, reading in science, and ecology. Provides information on equipment needed, availability, package contents, and price. Comments of reviews are presented by classroom teachers.…

Data from 122 Head Start children were analyzed to examine the impact of computer use on school readiness and psychomotor skills. Children in the experimental group were given the opportunity to work on a computer for 15-20 minutes per day with their choice of developmentally appropriate educational software, while the control group received a…

Provides information on motivational activities, demonstrations, experiments, software, lessons, field trips, and a game as ideas for instructional use. Includes topics on digestion in paramecium, diffusion, cells, interactive displays, slime molds, and the construction of an underwater viewing device. (RT)

Karl Marx's theory of stages can be applied to computer use in the schools. The first stage, the P Stage, comprises the entry of the computer into the school. Computer use at this stage is personal and tends to center around one personality. Social studies teachers are seldom among this select few. The second stage of computer use, the D Stage, is…

Describes a project that prepares teachers to be computer literate by writing computer programs, constructing computer modules, and then integrating the teacher generated hardware and software into science laboratory experiences. Presents goals, descriptions of interface modules, reaction of participants, and objectives. (MVL)

Describes a program which allows students to identify and characterize several kinetic inhibitory mechanisms. Uses the generic model of reversible inhibition of a monosubstrate enzyme but can be easily modified to run other models such as bisubstrate enzymes. Uses MS-DOS BASIC. (MVL)

Discusses a visual database of information about chemical elements. Uses a single sided 12-inch, 30-minute, CAV-type videodisk. Contains a picture of almost every element in its stable form at room temperature and normal atmospheric pressure. Can be used with the video controller from "KC? Discoverer." (MVL)

Presents comments by classroom teachers on software for science teaching including topics on: the size of a molecule, matter, leaves, vitamins and minerals, dinosaurs, and collecting and measuring data. Each is an Apple computer series. Availability and costs are included. (RT)

Describes a successful school model that is piloting computer hardware and software while reviewing and modifying classroom strategies and instructional techniques. Discusses the purpose of the school and a typical day of instruction. Lists results for the fifth and sixth grades. (MVL)

Notes two uses of computer spreadsheets in the chemistry classroom. Discusses the general use of the spreadsheet to easily provide changing parameters of equations and then replotting the results on the screen. Presents a molecular orbital spreadsheet calculation of the LCAO-MO approach. Supplies representative printouts and graphs. (MVL)