This study assessed whether word processing can be taught conceptually so that students can decontextualize concepts from a specific program setting and thus achieve a greater level of learning and far transfer. The sample for this study consisted of 38 students at Central Wyoming College enrolled in word processing classes--two sections during…

This paper discusses the design and outcomes of an undergraduate education course that used current communication technology. A collaborative, electronic community was developed by pre-service teachers studying educational technology in order to publish, exchange and consider emerging ideas about the use of computers for teaching and learning. In…

This three-part volume provides a summary, for use by practitioners, of a project concerned with how novices learn to become creative educational computer users. The first chapter examines techniques for increasing the novice's understanding of computers and computer programming, and specifically analyzes the potential usefulness of five…

Designed to develop procedures and acquire information to help decision-makers establish policies for the use of microcomputers for computer-assisted instruction (CAI), this study involved the following steps: (1) a school-based research project was conducted to determine the costs and effects of microcomputer-assisted instruction; (2) an…

The purpose of this notebook is to assist educators who are designing and implementing inservice education programs to facilitate the effective use of computer integrated instruction (CII) in schools. It is divided into the following five sections: (1) Effective Inservice (a brief summary of inservice literature focused on inservice dimensions and…

This collection of conference papers consists of a series of five case studies conducted in Denmark, France, Italy, Spain, and Turkey. In Denmark, an exploration of computer conferencing in distance education included an examination of the pedagogical motives for using computer conferencing, the availability of computers in study centers, and…

Written in the form of a workshop transcript for participants to take with them, this booklet is designed to present new ideas, reinforce ideas covered in the workshop, suggest applications of workshop content, and encourage participants to use the applications. The concept of "problem" is defined; key ideas in problem solving are considered;…

This paper describes an undergraduate-level course designed to teach the applications of computers that are most relevant in the social sciences, especially psychology. After an introduction to the basic concepts and terminology of computing, separate units were devoted to word processing, data analysis, data acquisition, artificial intelligence,…

Focusing on ways to teach fourth-grade students the machine skills they need to make the computer a fluent writing tool, this study sought to identify the word processing skills that students need to learn and the ones that are most difficult, and the instructional approaches that work best in teaching word processing skills. The problems and…

Computers may change teachers' lifestyles, teaching styles, and perhaps even their personal values. A brief survey of the history of computers demonstrates the incredible pace at which computer technology is moving ahead. The cost and size of microchips will continue to decline dramatically over the next 20 years, while the capability and variety…

This paper describes the implementation and evaluation of a computer literacy program for 4-year-old Head Start students and their teachers that was developed through the efforts of the Indianapolis Head Start program, the Children's Museum, and the Indiana University School of Education. The report covers: (1) the objectives of the program; (2) a…

Developed to assist primary school teachers who wish to implement LOGO and One-Key LOGO (OKL) in their schools, this document consists of a LOGO resource manual and 92 color-coded activity cards designed to guide a pre-reader or primary child through a series of problem solving steps. After a brief introduction, which contains computer terminology…

A set of interactive computer exercises developed for undergraduate students in experimental psychology and statistics courses is described. Each exercise is part of a self-contained module composed of an on-line experiment, full supporting documentation introducing the student to a substantive area of psychology, data analysis, a quiz with…

Discusses research on understanding the learning process involved in acquiring basic computer skills for nontraditional adult students. A survey is described that compares learning patterns of part-time adult students with traditional college students in introductory computer courses, and teaching recommendations for nontraditional learners are…

Compares the expert, spiral, and reading approaches to instructional strategies for introductory computer programming courses. Based on ACT (Adaptive Control of Thought) theory and relevant research, the differences between declarative and procedural instruction are identified, and six tactics used to design courses and evaluate strategies are…