A study investigated whether students had used a microcomputer prior to taking a computer literacy class, which computer languages they knew and used, whether they thought the computer literacy course should be required, and whether they thought the class would help them to secure a teaching position. Undergraduate students at Ball State (Indiana)…

Interviews with 22 high-school special education teachers, 24 mildly handicapped adolescents, and 8 administrators found that almost half of the teachers were not using microcomputers. Teachers with at least one computer in their classroom were more likely to use computers and have positive attitudes toward computers. Predominant uses included…

Undergraduate college students (N=40) were asked to rate their reactions to using the DISCOVER II microcomputer career guidance system and the Self-Directed Search. The majority of the participants preferred the DISCOVER II as a vocational exploration program. (Author)

A study conducted at Virginia Tech to provide policy and decision makers information on student perceptions of computing is described. Questions to be raised when considering personal computing policies and programs are identified. (Author/MLW)

Studied the attitudes and perceptions of children towards computers in classrooms. For one school year, questionnaires were distributed to children in grades four through seven before and after single computers were placed in each classroom. Overall, the children had positive attitudes toward computers, although girls were less positive than boys.…

Describes a three-year effort by two professors to integrate technology into their teacher education courses. The exploratory case studies used reflective narratives, questionnaires, interviews, observations, and review of related materials documenting technology use in the classroom. Results indicate that many impediments to technology use have…

Surveys of middle school students and teachers revealed: (1) more technology in student homes than in school; (2) away-from-school technology use by both groups; similarity in skills both groups wanted to learn; teachers' different priorities for student uses of technologies than for their own; and three set of implications relating to technology…

The effects on college students' (n=110) attitudes of using a microcomputer as a demonstration aid was investigated in an intermediate algebra class. Results suggest a significant treatment effect on students' attitude favoring the microcomputer treatment group. (16 references) (MDH)

The report documents second year activities of the Educational Center for Disabled Students serving college students with a broad range of both physical and learning disabilities at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Center goals include improving student academic performance and attitudes through the use of computer technology and academic…

A study was conducted at a large, state-supported college in the Northeast to establish a mechanism by which a popular software package, Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), could be used in psychology program statistics courses in such a way that no prior computer expertise would be needed on the part of the faculty or the…

Discusses a research design course in which undergraduates were taught to program microcomputers for the control of experimental tasks. Describes the teaching approach for the three-hour course unit, along with the experimental tasks that were performed. Reports that students ranked the programing of experimental tasks as important as other…

In 1985, Apple Computer, Inc., and the Houston Independent School District began a project to create a model School of the Future at the F. M. Black Middle School. As described in this guide, the project was designed to demonstrate how microcomputers and related technology can make the process of instruction more efficient and effective. The…

This study assessed the effect of an alternative delivery system using microcomputers. All 19 students enrolled in the University of Georgia's off-campus curriculum development course were assigned to the experimental group, and all 16 students taking the same course on campus were assigned to the control group. All students were vocational…

An interdisciplinary project was developed in which faculty and students learned to use writing in new and innovative ways. The 3-year project focused on five problems in the teaching and practice of college writing: the negative attitude of faculty towards the teaching of writing; the negative attitude of students towards writing; the relative…

The report documents first year activities of the Educational Center for Disabled Students serving college students with a broad range of both physical and learning disabilities at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Center goals include improving student academic performance and attitudes through the use of computer technology and academic skills…