Details of a rigorous two-semester course of study designed to equip secondary school teachers of mathematics and science to use computers in their classrooms are provided. Descriptions of individual student projects are included. (MP)

The Open University implemented a project called M205-STILE (Students' and Teachers' Integrated Learning Environment), a fundamental computer science course, with 110 distance learning students and nine tutors in the United Kingdom and Europe. This article examines, from student and tutor perspectives, the knowledge, social, and motivational use…

Details the topics of a new course that introduces computing and communication technology to students not majoring in computer science. Discusses the process of developing a Java applet (a program that can be invoked through a World Wide Web browser) that illustrates the protocol used by ethernet local area networks to determine which computer can…

Tests the effects of Web page design instruction on improving computer self-efficacy of preservice teachers. Various computer experiences, including weekly computer use, weekly Internet use, and use frequencies of word processing, e-mail, games, and presentation software were significantly related to computer self-efficacy. Use frequencies of word…

Reports on a research project in Great Britain that investigated the option schemes and career guidance given to pupils in eight secondary schools. Argues that schools do not take positive action to encourage female pupils to study computer science courses and that career guidance personnel feel that sex-stereotyped choices are influenced by…

Identifies and discusses some of the issues and problems associated with computer literacy education for teachers. Topics discussed include the role of technology in education; the role of programing in computer literacy; certification requirements; computer training for teaching educators; teacher attitudes; and classroom implementation of…

Describes study of two-year college students that was conducted to determine whether variables that were predictors of success in a programing class were also predictors of success in a package-oriented computer class using Lotus 1-2-3. Diagraming skill, critical thinking ability, spatial discrimination, and test anxiety level were examined. (11…

Describes two studies of undergraduates that examined learner and gender preferences for structured flowcharts versus pseudocode in the comprehension of short, complex algorithms. Research dealing with algorithm comprehension and flowcharts is reviewed, hypotheses tested are explained, implications for instructors and instructional materials are…

The use of cellular automata to analyze several pre-Socratic hypotheses about the evolution of the physical world is discussed. These hypotheses combine characteristics of both rigorous and metaphoric language. Since the computer demands explicit instructions for each step in the evolution of the automaton, such models can reveal conceptual…

The ability of the theory of reasoned action to predict computer-related attitudes and behavior was demonstrated through two studies: a questionnaire on computer behaviors and attitudes; and word processing training involving various levels of persuasive communication based on belief statements identified in the first study. (22 references) (MES)

Discussion of graduate programs in educational computing highlights six models of educational computing programs: (1) the computer science model, which stresses programing; (2) the educational psychology model; (3) the programed instruction model; (4) the instructional design model; (5) the information center model; and (6) the audiovisual…

Describes the Information Technology (IT) in Mathematics Project in Great Britain, which surveyed the extent to which IT was used in the teaching of mathematics and examined the extent to which IT skills could or should be taught within mathematics. Experiences with spreadsheets and LOGO are described. (seven references) (LRW)

Discusses the positive transfer of computer-related skills to new computer tasks and reviews transfer-related literature to provide recommendations to facilitate better transfer of students' skills from introductory computer classes to future needs. Topics addressed include course goals, user interfaces, problem solving, and software. (Contains 60…

The effects of home environment on achievement in and attitudes toward computer literacy was studied via administration of a 37-item computer-literacy questionnaire to 193 public school students in grades 5 through 10. Home environment was a better predictor of attitudes toward computer learning than it was for student achievement. (SLD)

Provides an introduction to capability issues in the United Kingdom and expands on the University of North London's capability curriculum. Explains the new software engineering module for computer science that incorporates the capability curriculum and discusses the need for a partnership between educators, employers, and the government to advance…