Most computer terms are viewed as understandable if approached with common sense. Five sources for the terms are noted. The glossary is not viewed as comprehensive, and suggestions of more complete dictionaries are made. "Computerese" and "cybercrud" are two terms noted to describe the jargon associated with computer technology use. (MP)

Computers are both understandable and controllable. Educators need some understanding of a computer's cognitive profile, component parts, and systematic nature in order to set it to work on some of the teaching tasks that need to be done. Much computer-related vocabulary is discussed. (MP)

The nature of many computerized community bulletin boards is described. A system called Communitree is profiled as a version with many distinct advantages over generic bulletin board systems. It is felt that their strong points are carefully orchestrated details, and their weak points are intelligent compromises. (MP)

Discussion focuses on the nature of computer-generated speech and voice synthesis today. State-of-the-art devices for home computers are called text-to-speech (TTS) systems. Details about the operation and use of TTS synthesizers are provided, and the time saving in programing over previous methods is emphasized. (MP)

Some of the important concepts in recursive programing are detailed, along with how they can be used. Examples are provided to show how to program recursively in BASIC. (MP)

A few basic principles that highlight the design of screen displays are detailed. It is noted that none of the principles will help programing efforts, but efforts at improvement in the direction described is expected to result in a more professionally designed work that users appreciate. (MP)

A program written for the 16K Level II TRS-80 computer that prints a star map, using various mathematical formulas to compute positions of the stars and the moon and displays them on terminals, is discussed. Some relevant astronomical background and terminology are covered in order to aid understanding. (MP)

Presents a program in Level II BASIC for a TRS-80 computer that simulates a Turing machine and discusses the nature of the device. The program is run interactively and is designed to be used as an educational tool by computer science or mathematics students studying computational or automata theory. (MP)

This manual designed to provide the teacher with methods of understanding the computer and its potential in the classroom includes four units with exercises and an answer sheet. Unit 1 covers computer fundamentals, the mini computer, programming languages, an introduction to BASIC, and control instructions. Variable names and constants described…

The skills of prose composition and "top-down" computer programing, such as in BASIC, are viewed as closely interrelated so that careful attention to one will almost always bring improved competence in the other. The structure of this report is compared to a typical quiz/tutorial program to illustrate the point. (MP)

The use of the Prolog programing language is promoted as the language to use by anyone teaching a course in relational databases. A short introduction to Prolog is followed by a series of examples of queries. Several references are noted for anyone wishing to gain a deeper understanding. (MP)

This material provides details on many of the commands available in the Pilot programing language. It is noted that some of the forms described may not be found in individual Pilot systems, but most Pilot implementations will have commands to equivalent things. A list of suggestions for purchase is given. (MP)

A course syllabus and descriptive outline are provided for an introductory, three-credit college course at Lon Morris College, Jacksonville, Texas, covering logical operations and the development of basic algorithmic processes using the BASIC computer programming language. Overall goals, specific objectives, and a brief description of lesson…

This material emphasizes student development of a computer program to keep track of data about people in a neighborhood. The first part involves taking a survey of people and the second part is on entering the information into a program. The use of file structures in BASIC is outlined. (MP)

Arranged in three sections, this resource for secondary school students provides an introduction to the computer's impact on society. The first section surveys historical methods of recording and storing information: clay tablets, papyrus, and books. The second section describes how computers work and ways they can be used. Also considered are the…