A typical first computer science course (CS1) introduces the student to coding conventions, variables, methods, control structures, conditionals, and the semantics of classes and objects. Advanced concepts of inheritance, polymorphism, abstract classes, interfaces, and their use in the design process, are covered in a second-level course (CS2).…

The Computer Museum in Marlborough, Massachusetts houses old and not-so-old calculators, famous old computers and parts of computers, photographs and assorted memorabilia, computer-generated murals, and even a computer made of Tinkertoys that plays tick-tack-toe. The development of the museum and selected exhibits is described. (Author/JN)

XS-O is a low-cost interactive system that serves as a self-explanatory school computer. The machine dialog is easy to follow for the inexperienced user. The system includes a course on computer programming, a programming system for writing, editing, executing, and debugging programs interactively, and a filing system containing private and public…

This paper describes Macintosh features which can be used in writing interactive programs. A program written in Microsoft BASIC (version 2.0 interpreter) is described which is used to produce plots of electric field produced by two-dimensional arrangements of point charges. It demonstrates the use of pull-down menus, windows on the screen, the…

A survey of computer education in engineering colleges was conducted in 1981 and the results reported in EJ 287 351. A follow-up survey conducted in 1984 asked many of the same questions to identify trends. Results of this survey with comparisons to the 1981 survey are presented and discussed. (JN)

This volume includes the texts of more than 50 papers presented at a conference which was organized to present in one forum all major work regarding computers in education in the United States, as well as abstracts of the special sessions, tutorials, and project presentations which took place at the conference. Among the topics covered in these…

Described is the use of an analog/hybrid computer installation to study those physical phenomena that can be described through the evaluation of an algebraic function of a complex variable. This is an alternative way to study such phenomena on an interactive graphics terminal. The typical problem used, involving complex variables, is that of…

In this article, we present CTRL_SPACE: a design for a software environment with companion hardware, developed to introduce preliterate children to basic computational concepts by means of an animatronic face, whose individual features serve as an analogy for a programmable object. In addition to presenting the environment, this article briefly…

Ideas about computers in education are usually limited to transactions of a conversational form between students and machines. Computers, however, can do many other things and it is only inertia and prejudice, not lack of ideas, which stand in the way of broadening the range of computer applications in schools. Several examples, over half of which…

This collection consists of 21 papers presented at the July 1983 Annual Summer Conference on "The Computer: Extension of the Human Mind II," in Eugene, Oregon. Six papers were presented at general interest sessions; 15 were from special interest group sessions. The general interest papers include David Ahl's "Keeping Up with Computers in Education…

This report reviews four different computer systems that are available for educational use. Presented is a system overview, and the strengths and weaknesses of each of the following systems: PLATO, TERAK, Compucolor II, and PET. Each of these machines is included as a representative of a "class" of machines available to the educator.…

Eighteen interrelated, sequential lesson plans and supporting materials for teaching computer literacy at the elementary and secondary levels are presented. The activities, intended to be infused into the regular curriculum, do not require the use of a computer. The introduction presents background information on computer literacy, suggests a…

The Montgomery County Public Schools Computer Assisted Instruction (CAI) Program began in 1968, was federally funded for its first three years, and since 1971 its activities have been supported through local funds and an outside grant covering the lease of the computer for the project. During the last three years validated CAI materials developed…