Currently, numerous on-line discussion forums have been developed for educational purposes; therefore, a better understanding about peer student discussion or discourse interactions is quite important. Through gathering peer learning interactions on 57 college computer science students, who were randomly assigned into 14 small groups for solving…

This booklet was written to help the mathematics teacher introduce computers through an easy, problem-oriented language. In Section I, a problem is selected and solved in a manner that builds up the use of the language. In Section II, the language is applied to three sample problems to illustrate further the programming techniques presented in…

Discusses a study which investigated whether a computer simulation model could suggest subroutines that were instructable and whether instruction on these subroutines could facilitate subjects' solutions to the problem task. (JM)

Describes New York State's extension experience in using the programable calculator, a portable pocket-size computer, to solve many of the problems that central computers now handle. Subscription services to programs written for the Texas Instruments TI-59 programable calculator are provided by both Cornell and Iowa State Universities. (MF)

Intended for use by managers and developers of Army training, this report provides an introduction to "smart technology," which represents the application of cognitive and computer science to Army training problems. Differences between "intelligent tutors"--a major component of smart technology--and conventional…

Stating that the greatest potential impact of computer use in extension is not in providing information but in teaching how to analyze problems, the author discusses use of the computer as an educational method and offers some considerations to keep in mind when designing computerized learning packages. (MF)

This paper describes a National Science Foundation-sponsored project at Louisiana Technological University to develop computer-based laboratories for "hands-on" introductions to major topics of computer science. The underlying strategy is to develop structured laboratory environments that present abstract concepts through the use of…

Mini- and midi-computers have been introduced into the computer science program at Sierra College to afford students more direct contact with computers. The college's administration combined with the Science and Business departments to share the expense and utilization of the program. The National Cash Register Century 100 and the Data General…

Current notions of metacognition merge with the predominant scientific model used in psychology, that of information processing. Metacognition is seen as a control process that governs the action of more elemental cognitive skills. Given the centrality of this notion, it is important that metacognition should be examined in detail. From the point…

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…

Described and critiqued are two ideas which have proven valuable in teaching programming at the introductory level, the mental model and the programming plan. (PK)

This paper describes the use of Java to develop a variety of educational materials to supplement both traditional instruction and Internet-based instruction. Efforts have focused on three projects that vary in course level, content, and style of interaction. Unlike the simple Java applets on the Web, these are very sophisticated simulation…

Defines computer literacy, reviews the potential applications of computers as educational aids, and discusses the major areas of competence required of teachers who will deal with computers in an instructional setting--either as users or as programers. (JL)