A comprehensive, formal comparison of strategies used by preservice teachers to learn how to use new technology has yet to be researched. Understanding the relative strengths and weakness of learning strategies would provide useful guidance to educators and students. The purpose of the current study was to explore the effectiveness of four…

Discusses the second session of a Vassar College workshop on computers and the humanities which focused on how to teach computing to humanists. Arguing for a holistic approach, the author outlines the material to be taught and how to teach it. Emphasizes ample hands-on training, and instruction in general computer principles not the specifics of…

Discusses participant characteristics, course content, teaching strategies, and follow-up activities of two inservice teacher computer training programs responsive to needs of beginners (providing basic skills to teachers with no familiarity and computer anxiety) and advanced users (dealing with issues of systematic classroom integration of…

Educators can use different metaphors to achieve an initial understanding of computers: the computer-as-person, tool, brain, map, vitamin, palette, educator, and catalyst. We should not ask what computers can do, but rather, what do we want computers to do? (KC)

Learner analysis and needs assessments are basic elements of all instructional design models and are of concern to those designing distance education courses. This investigation surveyed 249 geographically dispersed online students' computer skills and attitudes toward Internet-delivered instruction. Results were assessed by demographics. Results…

The Montessori philosophy advocates that the classroom be a reflection of the home, the community, and the world. Now, a century after Maria Montessori founded her Casa dei Bambini, the world is becoming a high-technology society, with computers a part of everyday American lives. Computers are almost a household necessity, and basic…

Despite technological advancements intended to enhance teaching and learning in the 21st century, numerous teacher and school factors continue to impede quality classroom technology use. Determining the effectiveness of educational technology is challenging and requires a detailed understanding of multifaceted, complex, contextual relationships.…

This paper describes an innovative pilot project at the University of Canberra aimed at providing pre-service early childhood teachers with the skills, confidence and ideological change required to include technology-enhanced learning as part of the early childhood curriculum. The impact of the project was evaluated through participant…

Describes the design of a BASIC computer program which enables students to learn BASIC in the context of top-down structured projects and discusses a specific example which uses a program to teach students about double-scripted variables and data structures. (MBR)

This article addresses questions associated with computers: Are they advantageous in the classroom? Do they help children learn? How can teachers learn more about them? Suggests guidelines for teachers learning about computers, listing books and ERIC documents for further investigation. (MP)

Examined influence of training method and trainee age on performance during training in acquisition of computer software skills among 146 adult volunteers. Behavioral modeling training method yielded consistently superior computer software mastery compared with nonmodeling approach. Older trainees exhibited significantly lower performance than did…

A systematic approach to teaching software provides instructional precision and maximum learning support, best suited for novices. A minimalist approach focused on context and student experience enables advanced learners to examine problem-solving processes and apply concepts to real-world problems. (SK)

Freshmen in a microcomputer class (n=33) used cooperative learning and watched instructor demonstrations; a control group (n=36) worked independently and received verbal instructions. Previous computer experience influenced achievement. A combination of cooperative/independent and verbal instruction/demonstration methods was recommended. (SK)

A reference and education librarian relates her experience of teaching a class of adult professionals about PubMed, the National Library of Medicine's tool for accessing the MEDLINE database. Discussion includes preparing to teach a class of peers; letting adult students try things themselves; and saving time for questions. Highlights several…

Notions of competency have dominated the computer education literature, and have underpinned Competency-Based Training (CBT) in information technology at all levels of education and training. The emergence of counter-narratives underpinned by the capability movement, have as yet had minimal impact on practice in computer education. New discourses…