Scholars representing the field of computer/information science were asked to identify what they considered to be the most exciting and imaginative work currently being done in their field, as well as how that work might change our understanding. The scholars included Ken Birman, Jennifer Rexford, Tim Roughgarden, Margo Seltzer, Jim Spohrer, and…

Judah Schwartz, co-director of the newly National Institute of Education-funded Educational Technology Center (which will investigate ways various technologies can have positive effects on K-12 mathematics, science, and computer science), offers his views on various topics and issues related to computer science education. (JN)

A collection of interviews and an overview of the Minnesota Educational Computing Consortium (MECC) are presented. (MP)

Pocket computers are promoted as an inexpensive means of teaching computer programing, particularly in today's world where there are increasing difficulties of obtaining funds for new curriculum materials. Samples of programs written in BASIC that can be run on pocket computers are presented, and instruction in elementary grades is promoted. (MP)

The Web, the Internet, the intranet and associated resources, campus computer labs, smart classrooms, course management systems, and a plethora of software packages all offer opportunities for every classroom instructor to enrich in-class and out-of-class activities. Why should an instructor consider the integration of technology into their…

The nature of computer instruction that emphasizes student programing in elementary school settings is detailed. Several reasons for the approach taken are given and constraints that those who want to start elementary computer programs must deal with are noted. The receptiveness of girls to computers in elementary grades is noted. (MP)

Computer programing and problem-solving steps in mathematics are viewed to have related concepts. Some heuristics are compared with some suggestions for structured programing. The one fundamental difference between problem solving in general and when using the computer is seen as the computer solution must be finite. The computer is viewed as a…

Views of Arthur Luehrmann, an individual who has become known as one of the most vociferous advocates of computer literacy in educational computing, are presented. Spending four out of five days in a computer literacy course on computing and one out of five on awareness issues is advocated. (MP)

Recommendations regarding literacy and the responsibilities of science educators are reviewed. The opportunity for pioneering, base-line research studies on the use of microcomputers in the classroom is viewed to exist. Significant contributions science education can make to computer literacy are noted. (MP)

In most instances, the papers in this collection present information reflecting the current status of computer usage in education and offer substantive forecasts for academic computing. Two speeches from the special ceremony for the renaming of the computing center in honor of Gerard P. Weeg, which was held as part of the two-day national computer…

Computers present a problem for mathematics teachers that may be solved through teacher education programs. Classroom teachers should be competent in programing languages, exploring software, and understanding the emphasis of computers in the mathematics curriculum. (DF)

The approach taken by representatives of the Minnesota Educational Computing Consortium (MECC) to define computer literacy objectives is defended. The MECC approach is termed a comprehensive view of literacy that incorporates programing, awareness, and other aspects. It is felt that hands-on computer experience alone does not guarantee literacy.…

Some basic concerns about the proliferation of computers in schools are stated: (1) Educational goals for children should be established as a first priority, then what computers can do to help achieve those goals should be examined; (2) Very few pieces of software are useful in schools, and teacher education programs should explore what is needed…

Since computers are already involved in everyday activities and have increased in importance for problem-solving at home and at work, justification exists for universal computer literacy. Ethical considerations regarding production and consumption of computer services are being raised. (JN)

Computer assisted instruction on a major scale and the K-12 Plan for Computer Literacy will be probable failures, but many programs can be successful. School systems must concentrate on computer teachers, instead of training all teachers, and schools of education need to train computer teaching specialists. (MT)