Offers thoughts concerning the difficulties school administrators face in choosing microcomputer equipment and software with technology improving so rapidly. General purpose software and specific applications are discussed, and a checklist of 18 questions for administrators to use during initial inquiries about software packages is included. (EJS)

A survey of 287 staff developers was conducted during October 1986 to gather information on the use of computers in staff development offices. Questionnaires were mailed to every fifth member of the National Staff Development Council; 92 completed instruments were returned within one month for a return rate of 32%. Areas covered by the survey…

In summer 1984, a study was conducted to assess the status of microcomputer applications in the public vocational-technical facilities of Michigan, Indiana, Minnesota, Illinois, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Mailing lists provided by the vocational education divisions of each state department of education were used to survey 705 individuals regarding…

The adoption process for personal computers by faculties in business administration and teacher education at the graduate college and university level was studied. Diffusion Theory (Roberts, 1962) was tested as it related to the adoption of an innovation and the adoption process as the individual passed through the stages of the process…

As part of a preliminary investigation of microcomputer systems' uses and policies at higher education institutions, a questionnaire was sent to the computer center director at 69 land grant institutions in the spring of 1982. Land grant institutions were chosen because they are a fairly small, well-defined group of higher education institutions;…

The effectiveness of the microcomputer versions of two computer-based career guidance systems--the System of Interactive Guidance and Information (SIGI) and Discover--was studied. Two questions were posed regarding how college students who have used SIGI or Discover differ in terms of change on selected career development measures and how they…

This general introduction to educational uses of microcomputers provides basic information to assist educators, parents, and concerned citizens in implementing microcomputer programs in the schools. An overview and brief history of educational computing is followed by suggestions which emphasize the need for planning, including pitfalls to avoid,…

Aimed at decision makers who will choose whether and how to implement telecommunications efforts in the human services, this final evaluation report describes an intensive demonstration effort, which was conducted by the Alternate Media Center of New York University from July 1979 to September 1980 to show how various telecommunications media,…

This report compares the effectiveness of two microcomputer based career guidance systems that are gaining widespread acceptance--the System of Interactive Guidance and Information (SIGI), produced by the Educational Testing Service, and DISCOVER, produced by the American College Testing Program. Both systems are designed to lead the user through…

A brief history of the Delaware PLATO project and descriptions of new developments in facilities, applications, user services, research, evaluation, and courseware produced since the Third Summative Report (1978) are provided, as well as an overview of PLATO applications at the University of Delaware. Sample lessons, illustrations, and activity…

This report examines: (1) the extent to which rural school administrators personally use microcomputers for administrative tasks; (2) whether such use is determined by differences in sex, age, size of school district, and type of administrative assignment; and (3) the kinds of administrative computer applications that are most prevalent. Subjects…

Written for elementary and secondary school teachers with little or no experience with the computer, this book provides an overview of the computer and the role it can play in the classroom. An introduction presents a brief history of computing and a brief discussion of computers in society and computer literacy. Individual chapters cover…

This report summarizes a study on the impact of the introduction of microcomputers into the instructional programs of two elementary school districts in suburban Chicago that included an examination of teacher attitudes and feelings related to microcomputers. It describes the districts and the kinds of hardware and software they use and contrasts…

A survey of the 28 Florida community colleges was conducted to determine the type and amount of computer hardware and software used at each college and to obtain colleges' evaluation of their own administrative software. Responses from 27 colleges revealed that: (1) of the 26 colleges with administrative data processing systems, 13 had IBM systems…

A study was conducted to determine the feasibility of increasing economic development within Montana through the use of personal computers in small businesses. A statewide mail survey of 1,650 businesses (employing between 4 and 25 employees) was conducted to determine the current status of computer use and the potential for expanding computer use…