A rationale for introducing computers in early childhood education in Hong Kong is presented. Findings from a survey of computer use in preschools, and case studies of preschools in which children use computers but do not achieve desired results, provide the background for this discussion. Arguments advanced for the use of computers concern…

A sample of 81 Australian primary teachers was surveyed in 1985 and a similar group of 55 teachers was surveyed in 1987 in order to compare the numbers and variety of microcomputers purchased and how teachers used them in primary schools. Data were collected on teaching background, participation in inservice and preservice courses, and various…

The author describes a 2-year study of the process of microtechnological innovation in two schools, based on teacher interviews and classroom observation. Interviews covered practices, attitudes, and policy development. Observation focused on resource use. Results suggest that teachers need further training in microtechnology to transform certain…

Discussion of how palmtop computers were used in an English secondary school over the course of a year focuses on the perceived effectiveness of such computers in an educational setting and on how teachers' and students' knowledge and use of content-free applications increased over time. (Author/LRW)

Describes a study conducted in undergraduate science classes in Singapore using computer modeling and simulation. Reports that the use of computer models and simulations proved to be valuable in explaining many aspects of science. Students reported that three-dimensional images helped them in their understanding. Contains 22 references.…

Describes a survey of microcomputer use for adults with learning disability within The Home Farm Trust, a United Kingdom national organization for people with learning disability that was carried out in light of a planned organization-wide initiative to introduce modern information and communications technology to service users. (Author/LRW)

The role of the central university computing center in the age of personal computers includes custodian of the administrative database, provider/coordinator of network services, provider of expertise on end-user computing, provider of large scale computation, coordinator of computing in the institution, and a scholarly workstation. (DB)

The paper examines the application of educational technology to special education in East Asia and specifically in Japan, the Republic of China on Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, and the People's Republic of China. The potential role of the microcomputer in special education is stressed and American applications of the microcomputer as a special…

With the loss of central funding of Special Education Microelectronic Resource Centres in Britain, local educational authorities have developed a network of new centers that is centrally coordinated. Addresses and contact persons for the 14 centers are listed. (DB)

Discusses the role of Local Education Authorities (LEAs) in creating policies for the use of microcomputers in education, and presents a comparative analysis of four case studies in the United Kingdom to explain why LEAs have varied in their policy response to the new technology. (Author/LRW)

This book recounts what happened when a set of 25 laptop computers was introduced into each of 10 Australian schools (Camberwell, Anglican Girls Grammar School; Caulfield Grammar School; Frankston High School; Jamieson Park Secondary College; Kilvington Baptist Girls Grammar School; Korowa Anglican Girls' School; Mallacoota P-12 College; Methodist…

Questionnaire responses of Israeli headmasters (N=110) on the introduction of microcomputers in their schools for handicapped children revealed a common emphasis on cognitive skill training and basic skill development with the hope that the computer's characteristics (clear-cut goals, feedback, adaptable pace, high response rate) would facilitate…

The Centre Computer Base is a list of hardware which can effectively operate the software of the Research Centre for the Education of the Visually Handicapped. Essential hardware contained on the list is described, along with a variety of "add-on" devices such as joysticks, touch-screens, speech synthesizers, braille embossers, etc.…

This book considers a variety of issues relating to the use of portable computers in the school. It is based on the study the Pupil's Learning and Access to Information Technology (PLAIT) in Northern Ireland. The PLAIT project introduced 235 portable computers in 9 schools for use in English, science, and mathematics course. Following an…

This technical report describes an in-depth study of the implementation of computers in a comprehensive school which had recently purchased 17 microcomputers. The study investigated the different factors that influenced the introduction of computers into the school at the teacher's level, the departmental level, and the school level. Analyses of…