A special 3 week course in Common Business Oriented Language (COBOL) programing was conducted for five deaf middle school students (aged 14 to 16 years old). Results indicated that deaf students can learn basic computing skills. (Author)

Discussed is the nature of and the importance of effective documentation in computer programing. (TG)

Discusses how to use vector graphics programming on Apple microcomputers for creating animation. Secondary school students with programming experience should be able to master the essentials of the two-stage technique, especially if they have already worked with LOGO graphics. (JN)

Learning how to create smooth animation on the computer is a two-step process. Step one (discussed in SE 539 133) involves creating shapes. In the second step, students animate their newly created shapes. The programing necessary to accomplish the animation is discussed. (JN)

Presents test cases to adequately test the "triangle program" described in part 1 (appearing in volume 42 of this journal). Discusses test case design and design techniques, differentiating between testing (showing that errors present) and debugging (finding where/what errors are and correcting them). Suggests testing be incorporated into…

Designed for use by computer programming teachers, this booklet presents the concepts of structured programming and provides examples of how to implement this methodology, which provides a systematic way of organizing programs so that even large and complex programs are easier to understand and modify than unstructured programs. After a brief…

Presents a collection of teaching activities suitable for students in the upper grades. These activities focus on practical programming projects, use of word processors for learning a foreign language, an Atari program for making a starburst, and a program (with deliberate errors) to determine the thickness of folded paper. (JN)

A computer course for parents, developing/using a histogram program, and writing form letters using Atari PILOT (Program listing included) are suggested. Includes an article ("Data Basing") by Al Kramer and Fritzi Lareau suggesting that students be provided with activities to create, use, maintain computerized databases. (JN)

Hull High School in suburban Boston (Massachusetts) is rated as one of the top 10 secondary schools in the country offering a computer education program. The same computers used by the students are shared by school officials for administrative tasks. (Author/MLF)

The effect of a meaningful instructional context and practice variety on rule retention was investigated. One hundred high school students participated. The design was a 2 by 3 completely randomized factorial design. The instructional context factor had two fixed levels: context and rule. The practice variety factor had three fixed levels: broad-,…

Describes computer-oriented teaching activities for the upper grades. They focus on the use of databases in history classes, checking taxes, examining aspects of the joystick button on Atari microcomputers, printing control using Logo, and a Logo program that draws whirling squares. All activities can be adapted for lower grades. (JN)

With the production of SBAS, a combination of language and machine allowing for a disciplined and error-free approach to teaching programming is available. Instructional strategies for use with SBAS and basic concepts (decisions, repetitions/iterations, actions/processes) are discussed. Sample flow charts and program listings are provided. (JN)

A computer simulation of the Buffon Needle Problem for estimating the value of pi is discussed. (MP)

In order to determine the knowledge and skills needed by novice programmers to successfully learn computer programming, four studies were conducted using a clinical interview technique. The first study determined that many systematic errors in programming were due to programmers' high-level misconceptions of the nature of the computer and of the…

Some techniques for managing the classroom and teaching programing that have worked well are described. Hardware placement and use, classroom management, instructional recommendations, and programing ideas are each discussed. (MNS)