Notes that business students should be able to understand computer programming but do not have to perform as computer programmers, and presents a brief topic outline of material that should be included in a computer programming course for business students. (EM)

A study of the kinds of computer programs children write and the types of programming concepts with which they have difficulty. (DAG)

Describes the strengths and weaknesses of four programing languages (Logo, PILOT, BASIC, Pascal) in terms of the tasks to be performed (task environment), capabilities of the language (programing environment), and skills user wants to develop (user environment). (JN)

This pilot study tested the hypothesis that the logical thinking skills of middle-grades students are enhanced by teaching them computer programming using the BASIC programming language. A quasi-experimental design was used with 36 students randomly selected and assigned to one of two treatment groups: 18 students received no instruction in…

The authors state that the need to define functional computer literacy is likely to be an ongoing one. They discuss computer literacy skills, barriers to universal application, comprehension skills, and mastery of the operating system. (CT)

This paper provides an historical and empirical critique of the claim that learning to program will promote the development of general higher mental functions. A developmental perspective on learning to program is provided which incorporates cognitive science studies of mental activities involved in programming, and highlights the importance of…

OBJECTIVES OF THIS RESEARCH WERE TO (1) INVESTIGATE THE EFFECTS OF THE RESPONSE MODE IN PROGRAMED INSTRUCTION, (2) EXTEND THE THEORETICAL PRINCIPLES ON WHICH PROGRAMED INSTRUCTION IS BASED, AND (3) DEVELOP EFFECTIVE METHODS OF TRAINING RECOGNITION SKILL. A SERIES OF FOUR EXPERIMENTS, INVOLVING SIXTH-GRADE PUPILS, WERE REPORTED. IN EXPERIMENT 1,…

The computer in the education setting can serve as tutor, tool, and tutee. A five-stage model of skill acquisition is offered that explores the use of computers and learning styles. (DF)

Describes the development of the Computer Tutor project in Palo Alto, California, a computer literacy pilot program in which tutors are used to teach high school students and other interested persons computer programing. (JJD)

Students learning to program recursive LISP functions in a typical school-like lesson on recursion were observed. The typical lesson contains text and examples and involves solving a series of programming problems. The focus of this study is on students' learning strategies in new domains. In this light, a Soar computational model of…

This dissertation seeks to determine the extent to which learning debugging in the context of LOGO programming improves children's debugging in other programming and nonprogramming contexts. The approach involves detailed task analysis of debugging (in the form of a computer simulation model), development of model-based instructional guidelines…

This paper describes part of a course for college freshmen entitled "Computation, Reasoning, and Problem Solving," which uses the LOGO programming language to integrate computer programming skills, collaborative problem solving skills, and writing skills. Discussion of the computer programming component includes two of the LOGO problem…

Examines the cognitive effects of learning to program versus programming as it is experienced in introductory classes. Research studies that have analyzed the cognitive demands of programming are reviewed and criticized, problems of transfer of programming skills are discussed, and 42 references are provided. (LRW)

Describes a programming environment called Tinker, in which a beginning programmer presents examples to the machine, distinguishing accidental and essential aspects of the examples. Examples of programming in Tinker are presented in which programmers demonstrate how to handle specific examples and the machine formulates a procedure for handling…

This overview of the home market for microcomputers and computer software presents a brief history of the development of the microcomputer and its use in the home. Factors which shape the home market are discussed, e.g., desire for improvement of educational skills, presence of children, previous experience with a computer, and decreasing prices.…