Basic advice for writing computer dialogs for use in science instruction is given. At the outset one should decide where within the subject area the computer dialog could offer a unique advantage over conventional teaching tools. Examples of such effective uses are remedial programs, in which a computer dialog may rapidly determine a student's…

This manual is intended as a reference handbook for use in writing instructional dialogs on the Sigma-7 computer. The concern is to give concise information which one would need to write and debug dialogs on this system. Metasymbol, the macro-assembly program for the Sigma-7, is described. Definitions of terminology, legal forms descriptions of…

The Intermediate Science Curriculum Study (ISCS) is a large-scale instructional research project, designed to develop, test and disseminate into practice a system of individualized science instruction for grades seven through nine. This report outlines procedures of curriculum programing and subsequent analysis of the computer mode of…

Strategies for incorporating a calculator made within FORTRAN programs and a Response Analysis Scheme during interactive sessions are described highlighting salient features of the programs. (Author/SK)

A 10-week project conducted with 12 gifted 4th and 5th grade students (10 boys and 2 girls) examined the effectiveness of the Logo computer programming language as a tool for helping students understand some basic principles of physics. Three assumptions were tested: (1) motivated elementary school students can learn both turtle graphics and word…

An introduction to the problems involved in conversion of computer dialogues from one computer language to another is presented. Conversion of individual dialogues by complete rewriting is straightforward, if tedious. To make a general conversion of a large group of heterogeneous dialogue material from one language to another at one step is more…

Describes how microcomputers are used to teach science, mathematics, and computer literacy in a two-year course for secondary students in San Diego. Skills are reinforced through drill and practice, simulations, and program writing. Specific skills and the sequence in which they are taught are discussed. (AM)

An Open University project was planned to develop a set of computer assisted learning (CAL) microcomputer programs for a second level, summer school physics course, scheduled to begin in 1982. Major project aims were the development of an underlying system to effectively use medium resolution graphics with a simple animation capability;…

This paper gives a technical description of various computer graphics programs developed on the Sigma 7 computer. Terminals used are the Adage 100 and the Tektronix 4002-4010. Commands are Metasymbol procedures which access Metasymbol library subroutines; programs can also be coupled with FORTRAN programs. Available, inexpensive graphic terminals…

The science student has many avenues to learning how to program, including learning directly within the science course, in a special course on programing, or by self-study. Often a formal programing course is neither necessary or advisable. In general a pedagogical approach, aimed at bringing the student quickly to using the language, is better…

Provides specific directions and guidelines for the computer program "YOU Program ME." Explains how this introductory hands-on activity can teach the concept of programming and can introduce the BASIC language. Background information and student activity sheets are included. (ML)

Computer languages are analyzed and compared from the standpoint of the science teacher using computers in the classroom. Computers have three basic uses in teaching, to compute, to instruct, and to motivate; effective computer languages should be responsive to these three modes. Widely-used languages, including FORTRAN, ALGOL, PL/1, and APL, are…

Describes a student programing project using microcomputers in an engineering design course. Provides some instructional procedures and student feedback from the project. (YP)

Recently computers have been of growing importance in teaching physics. This paper provides physics teachers and administrators with a basis for institutional planning for computers within physics courses. Different computer uses are discussed including instruction, computation, lecture demonstration and simulation. Different available computer…

The effectiveness of different types of computer terminals in programing learning is discussed with special reference to the experience of the Physics Computer Development Project. Experience with ten types of terminals including hardcopy terminals of several speeds, alphanumeric and graphic terminals is reviewed. Special consideration is given to…