Points out that the secret of successful Logo teaching appears to lie in knowing when to intervene and when not to. Sample programs and instructional sessions are included to illustrate when to intervene without intercepting student discovery. (JN)

Responds to comments in March/April issue of this journal on use of microcomputers in elementary/junior high schools, focusing on use in elementary schools. Addresses issues of funding for microcomputer purchases, availability of software, and teacher/student training. Suggests that programing is not an essential requirement before purchasing…

Describes a preliminary investigation in which students were taught BASIC programing using deliberately bugged programs, with program descriptions and photographs of screen as it should look if programs were running correctly. Includes educational issues involved, constraints of the investigation, sample programs, subjective/statistical analyses,…

Suggests approach to teaching definitions and concepts of computer programs to learners at all age levels by using words (string manipulations) rather than numbers. An outline of a possible sequence for introducing the BASIC programming language is given. Two references are cited. (EJS)

Reviews the state of the art in online access and possible future directions it might take, with emphasis on prospects (technological, economic, policy, and political) for the availability and benefits of online access in developing countries. Information technology, telecommunications, and local versus remote facilities are highlighted. Three…

Reviews criteria for assessment of appropriate information technology, comparing characteristics of modern information technology developed and applied in industrialized developed societies with constraints for information utilization in developing countries. Options for information technology are suggested. Four references are provided. (EJS)

Two uses of computers are outlined. The first discusses and presents a model of a program which is designed to teach students the reasoning involved in solving certain problems. The second looks at the ability of computers to count at high rates of speed, as a start for student explorations. (MP)

The nature of computer instruction that emphasizes student programing in elementary school settings is detailed. Several reasons for the approach taken are given and constraints that those who want to start elementary computer programs must deal with are noted. The receptiveness of girls to computers in elementary grades is noted. (MP)

Describes a variety of computer toys and computerized toys for children. Maintains that while the toys provide stimulation, they do not develop children's imaginations. Cautions against allowing computers to alienate society and emphasizes that computerized toys should be used as tools rather than as substitutes for learning. (Author/MJL)

Although there is a severe shortage of computer programers with 5 to 10 years experience, entry-level workers are now in oversupply. Discusses factors responsible for the oversupply, including in-service training of programers at various companies, and current skills needed by programers. (JN)

The programing language described was designed to remedy the weaknesses of BASIC by adding structured constructs and other desirable improvements, while retaining the major features and overall spirit of BASIC. COMAL 80 (COMmon ALgorithmic language), developed in Denmark, is proposed as an introductory programing language for schools. (Five…

This material provides details on many of the commands available in the Pilot programing language. It is noted that some of the forms described may not be found in individual Pilot systems, but most Pilot implementations will have commands to equivalent things. A list of suggestions for purchase is given. (MP)

In Part I of this two-part article, the author describes the evolution of the Computer Tutor project in Palo Alto, California, and the strategies she incorporated into a successful student-taught computer literacy program. Journal availability: Educational Computer, P.O. Box 535, Cupertino, CA 95015. (Editor/SJL)

Discusses interdependence of computers and microelectronics, importance of programing, offices of the future, communications for the 1980s, emerging information systems, and the inexpensive, fast, and reliable small devices such as memory chips. (JN)

The use of microelectronics and computers in medicine is reviewed, focusing on medical research; medical data collection, storage, retrieval, and manipulation; medical decision making; computed tomography; ultrasonic imaging; role in clinical laboratories; and use as adjuncts for diagnostic tests, monitors of critically-ill patients, and with the…