"New Things Considered" reports on emerging trends and issues in education to policymakers and participants in SEDL-SCAN, an emerging issues tracking system being pilot tested by the Southwest Educational Development Laboratory's Policy Information Service and the State of New Mexico. This issue presents brief summaries of the thinking…

Presents detailed components of a six-hour inservice workshop to familiarize teachers with microcomputers. (MD)

The status and use of microcomputers in Jackson and Josephine counties (Oregon) were assessed in a 1984 survey of 82 school buildings. The questionnaire used sought information on the number, make, model, and distribution of microcomputers; their locations and uses within schools; the status of curriculum and student use; the identity of experts;…

Issues arising from a symposium on microcomputer applications for young handicapped children concerned identification of realistic applications, instructional management, and need for research on effects of technology use. Recommendations in the area of curriculum, software, management, and personnel preparation were made and future directions…

This summary of a meeting of the Apple Education Advisory Council, on long range technology plans at the state, county, district, and school levels, includes highlights from group discussions on future planning, staff development, and curriculum. Three long range technology plans at the state level are provided: Long Range Educational Technology…

To update a 1984 study of the status and use of microcomputers in Jackson and Josephine Counties (Oregon), revised questionnaires were distributed to the 82 schools contacted in the initial survey. Two forms were used: school and individual teacher. The school survey addressed makes and models of computers in the building, locations of the…

This report examines ways of providing technician training in the operating principles of robotic devices. The terms "robotics" and "robotic arms" are first defined. Some background information on the principal features of robotic arms is given, including their geometric arrangement, type of actuator used, control method, and…

The paper provides an overview of fundamental uses of the microcomputer by special education administrators in a large-city school district. Microcomputer applications are suggested for the following applications: school-level administrative functions (e.g., tracking equipment repair, budget forecasting, and class scheduling); district-wide…

As part of California's comprehensive program to improve and strengthen its schools by incorporating educational technology into the entire curriculum, funds have been provided to school districts that have developed an educational technology or computer education plan. This guide identifies planning activities and describes steps district…

This annotated model outline provides guidelines for writing a plan for using computers and related learning technologies in schools. It is consistent with the components of the Merrimack Education Center's technology applications planning process, and can be modified to accommodate additional components and special school district requirements.…

Discusses some of the complexities that educators must address if the potential of educational technology is to be realized. Topics include computers as tools; technology as a curriculum revitalization catalyst; teacher and administrator training; microcomputer limitations; computer literacy definition; computer education program evaluation;…

This annual report focuses on the activities of the Office of Instructional Technology in the South Carolina Department of Education. This office is responsible for the development, acquisition, scheduling, and utilization of television and radio resources for grades K-12, staff development, and adult education, which are broadcast over the South…

The Maryland Task Force on the Use of Computers in Instruction conducted a statewide survey of the following components of a successful computer education program: planning; curriculum development; staff development; computer use; instructional equity; selection, maintenance, and evaluation of hardware and courseware; and parent and community…

The articles in this monograph focus upon the use of computers in improving educational programing and administration. A description is given of a model decision-making approach to assist local school systems in adopting a computer literacy curriculum. Also included are a discussion of software selection and the components of a programing course…

Case studies are presented for seven Los Angeles area (California) high schools that worked with Pepperdine University in the IBM/ETS (International Business Machines/Educational Testing Service) Model Schools program, a project which provided training for selected secondary school teachers in the use of personal computers and selected software as…