The aim of this study was to investigate and validate the use of a computerized testing program for the diagnosis of arithmetic difficulties experienced by primary school children. The basic research question was whether a microcomputer could be used to diagnose difficulties in addition, subtraction and multiplication as well as a paper-and-pencil…

This series of units is designed to help middle, junior high, and high school students use LOGO computer language as a tool to explore concepts in geometry, estimation and problem solving. The format of the unit was designed so that the instruction can be provided by the classroom teacher. The lessons are constructed so that, with some teacher…

This report offers a series of recommendations for the creation of a successful computer learning center in the Head Start classroom. Based on a 6-month study involving 44 classrooms in 11 programs in 7 states, recommendations focus more on children, teachers, and classroom activities than on computers and software. The report recommends many…

A study examined the extent to which computers affect the writing process. In order to test several hypotheses about writing with a computer 15 experienced writers wrote persuasive letters under four conditions--using pen and paper once and a computer the other three times. All of the subjects were experienced with computers having worked daily or…

A study was conducted to determine whether the use of word processing improves both the amount and the quality of revision done by high school students. Subjects were 24 ninth grade students enrolled in a special class for interested writers, and therefore probably better than average ninth grade writers. Twelve students were assigned to an…

Intended for trainers who have little knowledge of information technology (IT) and its use in education and training, this information sheet describes IT as consisting of three elements--information handling, communications technology, and information transformation--and explains how these elements contribute to the conveying of information. To…

This paper discusses two conflicting opinions on the role of computer education within the West German school curriculum, i.e., the opinion of the majority of the education ministers and administrators, who wish to see computer use distributed over as many school subjects as possible, and a minority of specialists in computer education who prefer…

This report summarizes a study undertaken to determine and describe a "generic" set of microcomputer competencies that should be possessed by all professional secondary school personnel and a more "specialized" set of microcomputer competencies that are expected to be possessed by secondary school professionals who work intimately with…

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;…

Before computers will be able to fulfill their potential in education, two major challenges must be overcome--the lack of well-trained teachers and a lack of general knowledge about software and its capabilities. Teachers must acquire some computer literacy skills, including programming, word processing, materials generation and record keeping. In…

The essays in this collection focus on recent advances in instructional technology and their use in community colleges. The collection includes: (1) "Telecourses: Using Technology to Serve Distant Learners," by Leslie N. Purdy; (2) "Satellites Stop Beeping and Start Teaching," by Peter Vander Haeghen; (3) "Change through Cooperation: The NILRC…

This overview of the role of microcomputers in public education covers the following topics: (1) the growth of microcomputers in schools; (2) the role of professional organizations and federal and state government agencies; (3) patterns of use in the schools, including instruction in computer science, instruction in traditional subject areas, and…

This document is designed to provide assistance to people in school districts who are responsible for making decisions regarding the purchase and use of microcomputers in business and office education programs. A section on planning considerations outlines considerations that need to be addressed, available resources, and maximizing the use of…

Examined were the effects on children's learning and motivation of the embedding of instructional materials in various fantasy contexts. Students in the third grade worked with graphics commands from the LOGO programming language under one of three conditions. In a control condition, students were given a series of abstract problems characteristic…

The paper reports an inter-agency cooperative project to investigate the use of different instructional data bases to determine which characteristics were most facilitative for the instruction of 14- and 15-year-old urban students with a range of abilities in a summer career exploration program. Special education and rehabilitation professionals…