Presents a rationale for changing from the current emphasis of precollege computer courses on BASIC programming skills to a focus on teaching applications software skills. Reviews research regarding the quality of computer literacy courses. Discusses parallel cognitive and affective consequences of programming and applications software. Promotes…

Discusses "book literacy" and questions its adequacy as a guiding framework for teaching students about computers. Describes what students need to know about computers and considers different proposals for developing instructional proposals. Focuses on curriculum development and the role of the teacher. (KH)