Discusses the use of computers to help with problem solving. Topics include information science, including effective procedure and procedural thinking; templates; artificially intelligent agents and expert systems; and applications in education, including the goal of computer literacy for all students, and integrated software packages such as…

College advisors can use the internet to communicate daily and exchange information with colleagues around the world, through a user-friendly academic advising forum. Basic instructions for joining an academic advising forum on the internet are provided. (Author/MSE)

Offers 10 suggestions for improving professional development courses to encourage teachers to use technology in the classroom: offer training, give them technology to use at home, provide on-site technical support, support collaboration with colleagues, allow attendance at conferences, increase access time, encourage research, provide online…

Eight superintendents who are regular Internet cruisers write about their experiences. Most are not computer junkies but favor certain features, especially e-mail, to enhance communication with school community members and help accomplish district objectives. Listserv discussion groups keep these administrators apprised of educational trends (like…

This article presents the University of New Hampshire's approach to ongoing training of computer users and argues that training is an investment with a large payoff. The article considers factors affecting training success; computer support; academic computing training; and administrative computing training, including developing a user services…

Describes a four-phase chemistry activity designed to offer students an opportunity to gain and practice skills in research, written and verbal communication, database creation and use, and to work as part of a problem-solving team. (ZWH)

Identifies three basic types of students of technical writing who fear writing with a computer. Offers suggestions to encourage them (and all technical writing students) to at least become more comfortable and current with writing technology. (SR)

The basic educational requirements desired by businesses of new employees and the relationship of the computer to their work were determined through site visits to 17 businesses. Employers wanted microcomputer proficiency, excellent communication skills, analytical and interpersonal skills, and background in word and data processing and…

Conducted two experiments to determine whether scores on computerized test would differ significantly from scores on paper-and-pencil format. College students (Study 1, n=24; Study 2, n=400+) completed the Verbal Reasoning test of the Differential Aptitude Tests. Results showed reduced performance on computerized version of test. Reduced…

The University of Guelph's experiences in using computer-based instruction and computer conferencing to make education accessible to distant learners illustrate how such problems as computer anxiety, technical difficulties, and technical delays affect access and learning. (SK)

Review of the research literature indicates that sex differences favor males in overall computer use, course enrollments, programing and games but few sex differences in computer applications. Explanations focus on sex-based differences in expected outcomes arising from cultural beliefs. Eight strategies for increasing female participation are…

Describes step-by-step procedures for taking apart a disk drive on an Apple microcomputer for a student demonstration. Lesson preparation is discussed, the use of small groups of students is recommended, and suggestions for teaching the lesson are given. (LRW)

Presents a conceptual analysis of self-efficacy and reviews the literature on self-efficacy in the microcomputer environment. Topics addressed include self-efficacy versus other theories; efficacy versus outcome expectations; and sources of efficacy information, including performance accomplishments, vicarious experiences, verbal persuasion, and…

Among 123 undergraduates in a computer literacy course, the following factors were related to self-perceived computer literacy: gender, prior computer skills, and a high level of familiarity with spreadsheets. (SK)

Offers an overview and schema for understanding frequently used network technologies available for Online Writing Labs (OWLs)--electronic mail, gopher, World Wide Web, newsgroups, synchronous chat systems, and automated file retrieval systems. Considers ways writing centers' choices among these technologies are impacted by user access, network…