Discusses user participation and participatory design in the context of formal education for computing professionals. Topics include the current curriculum debate; mathematical- and engineering-based education; traditional system-development training; and an example of a course program that includes computers and society, and prototyping. (53…

A survey of United Kingdom universities investigated the nature and extent of group learning/group assessment in undergraduate computer science courses. Qualitative and quantitative data assessed amount and control of group learning/group assessment, methods of grading groups, and teachers' attitudes toward groups. Results show the approach to be…

Describes a study conducted on the attitudes of students towards the integration of the Web as a channel of communication and a study tool in traditional distance teaching of Computer Science (CS) at the Open University of Israel. Results of questionnaires show the Web cannot substitute entirely for face-to-face learning. (Author/LRW)

Describes the use of the Flesch readability and interest formulae to evaluate textbooks intended for use in college level introductory educational computing courses. Variables that influence what textbook is chosen for a college course are discussed, and readability scores, human interest categories, and subject matter coverage are examined in…

Compares student achievement in introductory computer science courses before and after the introduction of a competency-based course syllabus. Finds little difference in the performance of 1988 and 1989 summer students. Fall competency-based students had a higher dropout rate but increased performance. (DMM)

Describes a program that trained 65 experienced bilingual educators to write and adapt educational computer software in their primary languages, to revise curricula accordingly, and to write grants to bring hardware and software into their classrooms. Discusses participant selection, program curriculum, community involvement, and interdepartmental…

Discussion of artificial intelligence (AI) and expert systems focuses on their use in education. Characteristics of good expert systems are explained; computer software programs that contain applications of AI are described, highlighting one used to help educators identify learning-disabled students; and the future of AI is discussed. (LRW)

This final article in a series on creating models for teaching about computer memory and disk storage and retrieval focuses on AppleWorks software and the Professional Disk Operating System (ProDOS). Instructions for creating a paper model of the AppleWorks menu system and the ProDOS disk file are given. (LRW)

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…