Two kinds of secret writing, codes and ciphers, are discussed. The weakness of a ciphering system mentioned in the March 1981 issue is pointed out, and an alternate method is presented. Programs written in BASIC are presented which can be used to encipher messages and help break ciphers. (MP)

Provided are names and school districts of elementary and senior division winners of the third annual international problem-solving contest. Feedback from participants, contest recommendations, and information on the 1984 contest are included. (JN)

This article gives an overview of the new field of complexity theory which links computer science to mathematics, and ultimately to the solution of theoretical as well as practical problems in society and technology. (Author/MK)

A traditional question is whether or not computers shall ever think like humans. This question is redirected to a discussion of whether computers shall ever be truly creative. Creativity is defined and a program is described that is designed to complete creatively a series problem in mathematics. (MP)

Answers to problems (in Applesoft Basic) in the Second Annual Computer Problem Solving Contest are presented, corresponding to elementary/junior/senior levels. Problems require good control of programing language, ability to solve problems, and implementing a problem-solving strategy within a computer language. Problem types include words,…

A teaching strategy for problem solving with computers is detailed. The approach provides a "midline" level of help that encourages exploratory activity yet provides enough guidance to increase chances of pupil success. (MP)

The process and history of the development of artificial intelligence is reviewed. Important achievements are noted. Limitations to possible breakthroughs in this field are noted from philosophers and mathematical logicians. (MP)

LOGO (a computer language) is designed to provide an environment in which learners determine a problem to solve, make choices, experiment, try out solutions, and build on what they already know. Student activities using LOGO and the teacher's role in a LOGO classroom are discussed. (JN)

Instruction using computers is viewed as different from most other approaches to education, by allowing more than right or wrong answers, by providing models for systematic procedures, by shifting the boundary between formal and concrete processes, and by influencing the development of thinking in many new ways. (MP)

Herbert Simon (Nobel prize-winning economist/professor) expresses his views on human and artificial intelligence, problem solving, inventing concepts, and the future. Includes comments on expert systems, state of the art in artificial intelligence, robotics, and "Bacon," a computer program that finds scientific laws hidden in raw data.…

The problems used in the Second Annual Computer Problem Solving Contest are presented. There are three groups of five problems, which corresponded to Elementary, Junior, and Senior contest sets. The contest questions are seen as interesting for individual study, and potentially useful to teachers of computer programing. (MP)

Presented is research designed to find ways to capitalize on the potential benefits of computers for hyperactive and attention deficient children. The results indicated that children did almost twice as many problems on the computer as they did with paper and pencil. (MP)

Several computer-oriented lessons designed to explore and exploit the problem-solving capabilities of currently available, inexpensive systems are presented. The programing language BASIC is featured. (MP)

Ideas and examples that support the problem-solving role of computers in the classroom are given: procedures, techniques, and sample problems that can be used with beginning, intermediate, and advanced students have been included. (MP)

A series of lessons designed to promote problem-solving skills by encouraging students to write programs is presented. All samples of solutions are written in BASIC. (MP)