Focusing on how computers can and should be used in intercollegiate forensics, this journal issue offers the perspectives of a number of forensics instructors. The lead article, "Applications of Computer Technology in Intercollegiate Debate" by Theodore F. Sheckels, Jr., discusses five areas in which forensics educators might use computer…

This document presents three papers dealing with trade and industrial education research. "Educating the Vocational Teacher Educator" (Clyde Knight) reports a study to identify needs of vocational teacher educators to improve existing programs and make necessary changes in doctoral programs. "The Relationship between Perceived…

The IBM Writing to Read program for children in kindergarten and first grade uses computers with voice output and IBM selectric typewriters to encourage writing and hence reading development. A study examined whether increased writing activity without the use of the technology would produce similar gains in reading. A classroom from the IBM…

Designed to provide information for decision making when the current 5-year contract with the supplier of computing services to the Manitoba High School Computer Network expires in 1982, this study included both an assessment of the existing situation and the identification of alternative options for the provision of computer services to the…

Computers are changing the lives of millions of people, but schools are still not producing many computer literate students. Rapid improvements in hardware technology and major progress in the development of software have put computers within reach of everyone. Computer literacy must now be treated as a functional tool similar to reading, writing,…

Microcomputers have the potential to alter the entire learning environment and change the nature of education, but the use of computer-assisted instruction (CAI) methods developed when computers were less readily available can endanger or retard the change. Designed to increase the efficiency of the teaching of course content, CAI makes no attempt…

This report presents findings from a national survey conducted through the National Center for Education Statistics' (NCES) Fast Response Survey System (FRSS) on the availability of interactive computers for instructional purposes in public elementary and secondary schools. Following an introduction which outlines the background of and rationale…

In an effort to shed light on the advent of the computer and its applications at small, two-year colleges, this report describes a national survey and case studies of five small colleges to determine their current use of computer services, the role and method of governance of computer-based information systems, and the policies affecting them. The…

A systematic process for selecting computer-based instructional systems and incorporating them into school programs is presented in this guide. The 8-step process which is outlined includes: (1) specification of goals and objectives, (2) assessment of student needs, (3) review of the curriculum framework, (4) determination of computer…

Eight students enrolled in keyboarding at State Fair Community College in Sedalia, Missouri in Spring 1985 participated in a comparison of computer-assisted keyboarding instruction and instructor-assisted keyboarding instruction. Half were given instructor checkpoints at specified intervals; half did not have this regular, planned interaction with…

A prototype software program and accompanying user's manual were developed for teaching vocational English related to basic electricity/electronics to limited English proficient students. The software package was designed to be adaptable to other content areas. Preliminary activities included compilation of a list of learning objectives for and…

Four essential steps for integrating computer technology into a school districts' reading curriculum--needs assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation--are described in terms of what educators can do at the district and building level to facilitate optimal instructional conditions for students. With regard to needs assessment,…

This report of the Conference on Electronic Text for Higher Education presents summaries of the principal presentations and discussions at each of eight sessions. Those sessions, with their presenters, include: (1) "Perspective: Electronic Text in Higher Education" (John Witherspoon, Mara Mayor); (2) "Theme and Variations: What Is…

Local area networks (LAN) are privately owned communication systems that connect multivendor devices at high speed. As microcomputers become more common in schools, user interest in sharing information, software, and peripherals will increase. A basic understanding of the operation of all LAN's can be gained by knowing four elements: media,…

Although computerized instructional materials for foreign language instruction have begun to become available, computer assisted instruction (CAI) in this field has not lived up to its promise for four reasons: poorly designed materials, incompatible machines, incompatibility of machines with textbooks, and equipment costs. Real CAI in classical…