A series of computer science courses at Pennsylvania State University is designed to meet the needs of undergraduate humanities students who wish to use computers. The first of three integrated courses exposes the student to the range of computer applications in the humanities and teaches him to write nontrivial programs in the PL/1 Programing…

This material contains two units which view applications of computer science. The first of these examines Horner's scheme; and is designed to instruct the user on how to apply both this scheme and related algorithms. The second unit aims for student understanding of standard bisection, secant, and Newton methods of root finding and appreciation of…

Computer-assisted instruction (CAI) during the decade of the 60's was characterized by a number of limiting factors: insufficiently powerful computers and terminals, restriction to a few rigid "teaching strategies," and the splitting of resources among too many projects below critical size. During the present decade, CAI has undergone a…

A method for improving the induction of computer programs from human problem solving protocols begins with four steps. The first step requires dividing the protocol into phrases that represent the performer's single assertions about the task or a single act of task oriented behavior. Second, the operators and information constituting single states…

A description is provided of a computer system designed to aid in the analysis of student programing work. The first section of the report consists of an overview and user's guide. In it, the system input is described in terms of a "dribble file" which records all student inputs generated; also an introduction is given to the aids…

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)

The development of symbolic computer algebra designed to manipulate abstract mathematical expressions is discussed. The ability of this software to mimic the standard patterns of human problem solving represents a major advance toward "true" artificial intelligence. (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,…

Examples of computer applications to solving real-world problems as generated by students at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) are featured. (MP)

Because previous research by Bayman and Mayer (1983) suggests that individuals who attempt to learn their first computer language develop a variety of misconceptions of the meanings of individual programming statements, this study investigated whether it is possible to enhance beginning programmers' understanding of the programming statements…

A course in computer programing is being developed as a vehicle for research in tutorial modes of computer-assisted instruction. Methods for monitoring and aiding the student as he works on interesting programing problems are employed. The problems are individually selected via an optimization scheme based on a model of the student's ability and…

The use of the Prolog programing language is promoted as the language to use by anyone teaching a course in relational databases. A short introduction to Prolog is followed by a series of examples of queries. Several references are noted for anyone wishing to gain a deeper understanding. (MP)

Describes a preliminary investigation in which students were taught BASIC programing using deliberately bugged programs, with program descriptions and photographs of screen as it should look if programs were running correctly. Includes educational issues involved, constraints of the investigation, sample programs, subjective/statistical analyses,…

Two uses of computers are outlined. The first discusses and presents a model of a program which is designed to teach students the reasoning involved in solving certain problems. The second looks at the ability of computers to count at high rates of speed, as a start for student explorations. (MP)

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)