A light box is an apparatus designed to show the logical states of the User Port Pins of a PET microcomputer. Details of this aspect of computer studies are provided to introduce students to the possibilities of microprocessor control. Details of PET User Port interface and sample programs are included. (Author/JN)

PILOT is the generic name of a programing language suited for authoring/executing CAI educational programing. The strengths/weaknesses of TRS-80 MicroPilot (formerly Pilot Plus) and differences between Micropilot and Basic and CAI courseware authoring languages are discussed. Major strength is efficiency for educational/interactive programing with…

Describes a computer engineering program including: (1) student activities; (2) positive impact of complementary programs; and (3) additional faculty tasks to support the program. (SK)

Discusses teacher certification courses in computer education focusing on syllabus development and structure, involvement of the Royal Society of Arts (RSA), and course aims (including knowledge of computer uses in education). Also discusses pilot projects involving the new certification scheme. Additional information can be found in February 1981…

Describes a course to make technical managers more aware of computer technology and how data loggers, programmable controllers, and larger computer systems interact in a hierarchical configuration of manufacturing process control. (SK)

Discusses five approaches used by industry/colleges to provide local area network (LAN) capabilities in the analytical laboratory: (1) mixed baseband bus network coupled to a star net; (2) broadband bus network; (3) ring network; (4) star network coupled to broadband net; and (5) simple multiprocessor center. Part I (September issue) focused on…

Describes a course that uses a network of microcomputers to teach students machine language and assembler programing. The course is intended to teach what the computer can do and what its limitations are, understandings that are often obscured when students work in high-level programing languages. (Author/IRT)

Small stand-alone microcomputers can serve as the basis for running a sophisticated general-purpose interactive software system capable of supporting such interactive tasks as computer assisted instruction, word processing, and data processing, as well as other software development. A successful system using the PASCAL programing language is…

Describes an unusual project in which third-year computer science students designed and built a four-bit multiplier circuit and then combines it with software to complete a full 16-bit multiplication. The multiplier was built using TTL components, interfaced with a Z-80 microprocessor system, and programed in assembly language. (JN)

Examines issues involving the use of on-line databases, magnetic and optical data storage, digital telecommunications, and microcomputers on college campuses. These issues include access to computers and computer networking, and educational uses of the computers. Examples of efforts at four universities are included. (JN)

Presents test cases to adequately test the "triangle program" described in part 1 (appearing in volume 42 of this journal). Discusses test case design and design techniques, differentiating between testing (showing that errors present) and debugging (finding where/what errors are and correcting them). Suggests testing be incorporated into…

Described is the computer science program at the Harbin Shipbuilding Institute in Harbin, China. Required courses are listed, facilities are described, and observations are provided. (MNS)

Reports on uses of microcomputers at the University of Michigan including word processing, extending laboratory experience, simulation, games, tutorial uses, and building skills in computing. (RAO)

Discusses the nature of programing languages, considering the features of BASIC, LOGO, PASCAL, COBOL, FORTH, APL, and LISP. Also discusses machine/assembly codes, the operation of a compiler, and trends in the evolution of programing languages (including interest in notational systems called object-oriented languages). (JN)

In May 1984, Ecuador contacted an American agency that provides assistance to developing countries, and requested that a consultant in computer education be sent to help establish a computer education program in one of its schools. The experiences and observations of this consultant are provided. (JN)