A process developed at Colorado State University to assess college students' knowledge of microcomputers prior to taking an introductory microcomputer course uses self-questionnaires to place students in the microcomputer learning curve according to their knowledge of and interest in microcomputers. Students can then be grouped into different…

Describes the history of computer science departments at universities in China. Educational principles that characterize Chinese computer science education are discussed, selection of students for universities is described, and curricula for both undergraduate and graduate computer science studies are outlined. (LRW)

Trends in computer programing language design are described and children's difficulties in learning to write programs for mathematics problems are considered. Languages are compared under the headings of imperative programing, functional programing, logic programing, and pictures. (DC)

Java is an object-oriented programming language developed by Sun Microsystems; its benefits include platform independence, security, and interactivity. Within the college community, Java is being used in programming courses, collaborative technology research projects, computer graphics instruction, and distance education. (AEF)

Discusses the establishment and implications of programs and workshops developed in response to Florida's State Comprehension Plan for Mathematics, Science, and Computer Education. Emphases are on efforts geared toward expanding support for precollege science teaching. (ZWH)

Describes an activity for elementary school students that allows them to manipulate computer hardware. College students volunteered as trainers; and two workstations were used, one to teach students how to attach peripheral devices (e.g., keyboard, monitor, and printer) and one to teach how to remove a disk drive and the controller card. (LRW)

Details a study of the need or wisdom of universities and colleges to include lab sections of courses that are offered to teach software. No significant difference was found in the knowledge gained for those students who participated in the lab in addition to the lecture/demonstration, but the students who participated in the lab completed their…

Describes a relational model that was developed to provide a framework for the design and evaluation of teaching experiments for the introduction of computer science in secondary schools in Italy. Teacher training is discussed, instructional materials are considered, and use of the model for the evaluation process is described. (eight references)…

Presents a method to enhance the teaching of computer programing to secondary students that establishes a connection between logic, truth tables, switching circuits, gating symbols, flow charts, and pseudocode. The author asserts that the method prepares students for thinking processes related to programing. (MDH)

Investigated representation of females in computer education texts for grades K-12 published within last decade. Females were found to be under represented in positions of power and as active computer users although overrepresented as passive in relation to the computer. In general, females were well represented in the test, but the roles in which…

Traces the evolution of introductory computing courses for undergraduates based on the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) guidelines published in "Curriculum 78." Changes in the curricula are described, including the role of discrete mathematics and theory; and the need for a broader model for designing introductory courses is…

This review addresses several key issues in research on the potential relationship between programing language instruction and problem solving. Issues associated with problem-solving theory, expertise, transfer of training, treatment-related issues, language-related issues, and sampling are considered. Treatment-related and language-related issues…

Describes how to plan an online course based on experiences with a college computer-science course. Topics include course layout, HTML conversion, uploading files to the server and editing, online testing, the initial class meeting, student course evaluations, a summary of student perceptions, and course revisions. (LRW)

Describes the Information Technology Career Ladder (ITCL) program of the New College at Clayton College and State University (Georgia). ITCL is the first competency-based, three-tiered (certificate, associate, bachelor's degrees) IT program at a United States University. Outlines key design principles that set the program apart from more…

Describes how to construct questions to test all cognitive levels of learning for a course in introductory programming. The framework for learning is based on Bloom's taxonomy. Practical advice is given through examples and by describing a computer system to help deliver quizzes. Includes example questions. (Author/AEF)