The materials and methods described in this report constitute an integrated system which allows a professional educator with a minimum of data processing experience to teach a course in computer technology. The course is divided into three teaching modules--(1) general background and programing, (2) techniques and applications, and (3) advanced…

Describes various instructional materials designed to teach computer programing. These materials (primarily for the Apple II microcomputer) include books, teaching packages, videotapes, audiocassette tapes, and computer media (including programs loaded from cassettes and disks). Information on classroom packages, writing software, and selecting an…

A few basic principles that highlight the design of screen displays are detailed. It is noted that none of the principles will help programing efforts, but efforts at improvement in the direction described is expected to result in a more professionally designed work that users appreciate. (MP)

A mathematical technique for solving for the interest rate of a given annuity is explained. The technique is applied to a BASIC program that finds interest rate given the future value, number of payments, and the value of the payment. (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,…

This report provides 1-page reviews of 113 highly-rated computer software programs, identified from the evaluation reports of the following 16 evaluation services and educational technology magazines: Province of Alberta (Alberta Education), Baltimore County (Maryland) Public Schools, Province of British Columbia Ministry of Education, California…

Learning to program involves developing an understanding of two hierarchies of concepts. One hierarchy consists of data and extends from very literal data (which represents only itself) to very abstract data incorporating variable values in complex interrelationships. The other hierarchy consists of the operations performed on the data and extends…

Provided are descriptions of programing languages (BASIC, LOGO, Pascal, FORTH, Savvy). Included are two lists, one presenting sources of programing language tutorials (includes computer needed, price, language, additional hardware needed, special features) and the other presenting a buyer's guide to programs that teach programing. (JN)

This guide was prepared for a lectureless two-semester-credit introductory programming course for business students at the University of Nebraska. The guide lays out course objectives, course mechanics, exercises and programming assignments, and describes the SIMPLE program editor and job submission system in use at the university. However,…

Describes a computer activity (for Apple II) showing junior high students with some programing experience how to make words/letters in original programed poetry move on the computer screen (and gives practice using simple arrays, FOR..NEXT loops, and DATA statements). Includes the complete activity which can be duplicated for classroom use. (JN)

This material provides details on many of the commands available in the Pilot programing language. It is noted that some of the forms described may not be found in individual Pilot systems, but most Pilot implementations will have commands to equivalent things. A list of suggestions for purchase is given. (MP)

BASIC programing was taught to 95 undergraduates from a manual emphasizing the language's syntax or from a manual that included additional material on the underlying semantics. Both approaches produced equivalent learning of syntactic features of BASIC; however, semantically trained students developed fewer misconceptions and performed better on…

These papers describe efforts toward the systematic improvement of a software environment called SOLO (Eisenstadt, 1978), which has been used with cognitive psychology students at the Open University in Great Britain and is geared towards the manipulation of assertional databases. The first paper, by Eisenstadt, Laubsch, and Kahney, provides an…

These curriculum materials are designed for teachers of students in grades six through nine to use to teach general computer literacy and rudimentary programming in BASIC. Sections on history, what microcomputers can do, and computer anatomy have been written so they can be copied and placed in the hands of the students in the intended audience,…

Development work of the Computer Technology Program (or REACT-Relevant Educational Applications of Computer Technology) during the period of July 1, 1971 to August 31, 1972 is summarized here. Work during this period included writing and developmental testing of a course in computer careers for high school pupils. This phase took the course…