Provides an introductory overview of articles included in this journal issue, which is devoted to the topic of microcomputers and children. (MP)

Summarizes the characteristics and special features in a variety of mainframe, minicomputer, and microcomputer systems; discusses the applicability of each in school instruction; provides information about hardware, instructional capabilities, courses, and curricula available from computer manufacturers/publishers; and discusses future uses and…

This paper offers an historical perspective as to why teachers may be reluctant to accept new technologies, and what might persuade them to use computers in their classrooms. The analysis also suggests some methods for minimizing the inhibiting factors and maximizing the acceptance of computers in elementary and secondary school settings.…

Presents highlights from the "Wingspread Conference on Microcomputers in Education," held to evaluate the role of microcomputers in instruction and to develop guidelines for the introduction and use of this new technology in the elementary and middle grades. (Author/MLF)

Intended to provide educators with enough information about the educational uses of computers so that they can make responsible decisions about the usefulness of computers in their own instruction, this paper defines and describes a variety of computer uses and gives advice on the selection of appropriate computer equipment and software. The first…

The purpose of the paper is to address the instructional use of the microcomputer at the community college level. Specific attention is given to two principal types of microcomputer instructional use: computer managed instruction and computer assisted instruction (CAI). Five computer managed instruction applications are discussed: (1) the word…

For the benefit of administrators and instructors, individualized instruction and the role of computers in managing it are outlined. Structural components of individualized instructional programs are identified, and the process of individualized instruction is described. A review of major computer-managed instructional (CMI) systems is provided,…

The 122 papers in this collection were presented in 15 sessions of the 20th annual convention of the Association for Educational Data Systems which was held in Orlando, Florida, May 10-14, 1982. Individual papers covered a wide variety of topics, including computer assisted instruction, computer managed instruction, computer literacy,…

Designed to help elementary and middle school teachers increase their level of computer-education literacy, this book discusses the capabilities, limitations, applications, and possible impact of computers in education. Chapter 1 briefly defines what a computer is and explains the book's goals and applications. Chapter 2 provides a technical…

Policy issues and their implications in the introduction of computer technology in the Northwest and Pacific schools are examined. Eight issues, focused on instructional uses of computer technology, are covered. (1) Establishing an overall state education agency (SEA) position will set the tone for statewide development of instructional…

Technical aspects of the PLATO system, the language work done on PLATO thus far (specifically in foreign languages), and areas for further research in computer-based language instruction are reviewed. PLATO-IV, designed and implemented by the Computer-Based Educational Research Laboratory of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, is…